ENS DAO approves eight-member Security Council with two-year term

The new body can block malicious proposals before execution through a 5-of-8 multisig, while its powers are limited to vetoing timelocked transactions.

ENS

Summary

ENS DAO has approved a proposal to activate a new eight-member Security Council for a two-year term, adding a narrowly defined safeguard to the governance process. The council can veto malicious proposals during the waiting period before execution by canceling timelocked transactions through a 5-of-8 multisig, but it cannot move treasury funds, submit proposals, rewrite approved proposals or replace a canceled transaction with another action. The structure creates a final security check during ENS governance’s two-day timelock and is meant to address attacks involving stolen governance credentials, fraud, vote buying, flash loans and malicious code, while leaving ordinary policy disputes to token holders and delegates. The council’s authority runs until July 16, 2028, and replaces an outgoing 4-of-8 body whose cancellation authority expires on July 24.

Terms & Concepts
  • timelock: A built-in delay between a governance proposal’s approval and its execution, allowing time for review or intervention.
  • 5-of-8 multisig: An approval setup requiring five of eight authorized members to sign off before an action can be taken.
  • flash loans: Uncollateralized crypto loans that are borrowed and repaid within one transaction and can be used in some governance attacks to temporarily gain voting power.