Updated:
Quantstamp
Quantstamp, led by Richard Ma, has secured over $200B in digital assets as the smart contract auditor for MakerDAO and the Ethereum Foundation.
Quantstamp
Quantstamp was established to provide blockchain security auditing, a niche that grew into a critical infrastructure layer as Web3 expanded. Co-founded by CEO Richard Ma and CTO Steven Stewart, the firm assembles computer science PhDs and security engineers to audit smart contracts and protocol architectures, moving beyond bug bounties to formal verification of on-chain code. The firm covers the entire decentralized technology stack, from layer-1 blockchains like Ethereum and Solana to DeFi apps, cross-chain bridges, and NFT projects. Its work spans direct code audits for protocols, economic exploit modeling, and incident response. Confirmed audit clients include MakerDAO, Ethereum Foundation, and Solana, with the firm publicly citing over $200 billion in secured digital asset value. Geographically, it maintains operations across North America, Europe, and Asia, with principal offices in San Francisco and Berlin. Quantstamp lists six global offices and operates as a strategic partner to Web3's largest protocols rather than a traditional venture investor. It does not raise external funds or manage third-party LP capital; its revenue is generated from audit and security consulting fees. In October 2023, the firm conducted a security review for the Worldcoin protocol's smart contracts as the project scaled to over 2 million global sign-ups. Structurally, Quantstamp functions as a service provider to a new asset class, not an investor in it. Its model mirrors that of a specialized consulting firm or law firm — reliant on the reputation of its research team rather than the performance of a fund. This network of PhD-level auditors, deployed across six countries, creates a moat built on the scarcity of deep protocol security talent, not capital under management.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
—
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
San Francisco
Corporate office
San Francisco, CA, United States
Additional offices
Berlin, Germany · Zug, Switzerland · George Town, Cayman Islands · Singapore · Fort Worth, TX, United States
Principals
Richard Ma
CEO
Steven Stewart
CTO
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
What does Quantstamp actually do?
Quantstamp is a blockchain security firm that audits smart contracts and protocol architectures. Its team of PhD security researchers manually reviews code and uses automated tools to find vulnerabilities, economic exploits, and logic errors before the code deploys to a live network. Clients are typically layer-1 blockchains, DeFi protocols, and NFT projects.
Who runs investment decisions at Quantstamp?
Quantstamp is not an investment firm and does not manage third-party capital. Decisions on client engagements and technical service delivery are overseen by CEO Richard Ma and CTO Steven Stewart. The firm generates revenue from audit and security consulting fees rather than fund performance.
How does Quantstamp source its clients?
Client acquisition is driven by reputation and the technical depth of its research team. As one of the earliest dedicated blockchain auditors, Quantstamp built relationships with foundational projects like Ethereum Foundation and MakerDAO. New clients typically reach out prior to a protocol launch or major upgrade, often on the recommendation of existing developer communities.
Is Quantstamp structured as a fund or an operating company?
It operates as a professional services firm, similar to a specialized cybersecurity consultancy. It does not raise external funds, make venture investments, or manage LP capital. Its only product is security audit and consulting services paid for by protocol teams and foundations.
Which blockchains and protocols has Quantstamp audited?
Confirmed audit clients include Ethereum Foundation, MakerDAO, Solana, and Worldcoin. The firm publicly states it has secured over $200 billion in total digital asset value across its engagements.
Does Quantstamp have philanthropic structures or a foundation?
No dedicated philanthropic foundation is publicly disclosed by the firm or its principals. Quantstamp is organized as a for-profit professional services business.
What is Quantstamp's known posture on co-investments or venture allocations?
Quantstamp does not take equity positions or make venture investments as part of its audit engagements. It operates on a fee-for-service model, avoiding the conflict of interest that could arise from holding tokens or equity in client projects.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: