Can Real-Time Cybersecurity Work in Web3?
The blockchain ecosystem has been defined by its ability to decentralize power. But in doing so, it’s also opened itself to a growing volume of exploits, smart contract bugs, and wallet-level attacks. This raises a central question: Can real-time cybersecurity protocols, like those used in Web2 infrastructure, be implemented in decentralized systems?
Fuse, a layer 2 blockchain focused on crypto payments, believes the answer lies in collaboration. On April 15, it announced a partnership with Check Point Software to deploy the first advanced blockchain firewall designed to prevent threats in real time. The move signals a shift from reactive security to proactive defense.
Rather than detecting malicious transactions after they occur, the partnership aims to stop them before execution. According to Fuse, the approach draws on Check Point’s three decades of experience in threat intelligence and firewall technology—now applied to a blockchain setting.
What Makes This Firewall Different?
Traditional blockchain security measures, such as smart contract audits and static code analysis, occur post-deployment. These are essential but insufficient, especially as attacks become more dynamic. The proposed solution is a dedicated AI-powered firewall that functions at the infrastructure level, integrated across the Fuse network.
Mark Smargon, CEO of Fuse, explained the intent behind the move:
“Prevention is always better than a cure, particularly with crypto networks that serve as the backbone for global payments. With Check Point providing a dedicated security layer, we’re confident that we can not only deter hackers, who are becoming increasingly sophisticated, but pioneer a cybersecurity model that will become the gold standard for protecting web3 protocols.”
The security layer will leverage Check Point’s proprietary threat prevention models, which are trained on historical and real-time data to block transactions flagged as malicious. According to Dan Danay, Head of Web 3.0 Security at Check Point, this type of security architecture mirrors the evolution from static antivirus tools to real-time cloud-based monitoring in the traditional web:
“Just as robust cybersecurity powered the rise of Web 2.0, real-time prevention will be key to Web3’s mainstream adoption.”
How the Threat Prevention Layer Works
Rather than functioning as a simple list of known bad actors, the security layer integrates with Fuse’s transaction pipeline to actively inspect intent. It leverages AI-powered threat engines and real-time data feeds from Check Point’s global cyber intelligence network. Fuse’s approach does not stop at smart contracts. Wallet interactions, dApp behavior, and node communications will also be subject to live monitoring. According to the teams, this breadth of coverage is key for reducing attack surfaces and enabling developer trust.
The firewall will not act as a gatekeeper to decentralization but as an internal risk assessment tool. Developers, node operators, and users will retain autonomy but can opt into an additional layer of security baked directly into the protocol.
Ember Nodes and the Future of Fuse’s Network
The announcement comes shortly after the launch of Fuse’s Ember Nodes, a governance and validation system backed by venture participants such as Collider Ventures, TRGC, and Blockchain Founders Fund. These nodes allow users to acquire ownership and participate in decision-making, a process that could be enhanced by real-time threat analytics.
With thousands of active users and a growing number of stablecoin transactions processed daily, Fuse has chosen to build security into the core of its payment-focused infrastructure. This is a notable departure from retrofitting security tools after scaling. The hope is that by implementing this level of scrutiny now, Fuse can avoid the pattern observed in other networks—where vulnerabilities are only addressed after they are exploited.
Broader Implications for Web3 Infrastructure
Security remains one of the largest friction points for Web3 adoption. Protocols like Fuse that prioritize infrastructure-level security may begin to redefine baseline expectations for operational safety across chains. While Fuse is currently focused on B2B and B2C payments, the model it’s implementing with Check Point could apply across other verticals: gaming, decentralized finance, and supply chain platforms.
Whether the industry will follow remains to be seen. But with regulatory scrutiny increasing and users demanding stronger protections, moving from detection to prevention might become not just a differentiator—but a requirement.
Final Thoughts
In my view, this partnership sets a precedent for what blockchain networks should begin to consider non-negotiable. Security shouldn’t be a feature, it should be infrastructure. Fuse’s integration with Check Point isn’t about marketing a firewall to web3 audience, it’s about acknowledging that decentralization without defense is unsustainable in the long term.
If other L2s or payment blockchains follow suit, we may finally see a turning point where security architecture in Web3 begins to match the financial value these systems are expected to move.
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Vested Interest Disclosure: This author is an independent contributor publishing via our
