What happened?
Seven major Ethereum protocols formed the Ethereum Protocol Advocacy Alliance (EPAA) to defend self-custody and on-chain transactions without intermediaries. The group — Aave Labs, Aragon, Curve, Lido Labs Foundation, The Graph Foundation, Spark Foundation and Uniswap Foundation — says it will protect core infrastructure that secures over $100 billion in on-chain assets. They’ll coordinate advocacy globally, push for on-chain transparency, and operate as a flexible coalition without formal leadership.
Who does this affect?
This affects Ethereum users who self-custody funds, DeFi builders and the protocol teams that run core infrastructure. It also matters to regulators, advocacy groups, and institutions watching crypto rules because the alliance will try to shape how laws treat protocol code and on-chain activity. Everyday investors and service providers could feel the impact if policies change to favor protocol neutrality and permissionless access.
Why does this matter?
For markets, the EPAA could lower regulatory uncertainty for Ethereum protocols, which may boost investor confidence and help sustain liquidity in DeFi markets. If successful, clearer, more workable rules around on-chain activity and self-custody could encourage broader adoption and capital allocation to decentralized projects. But outcomes depend on engagement with regulators — stronger protections could lift valuations, while regulatory pushback could still create volatility.