Optimism Community & Delegates,
My name is Glory, the Ecosystem and DAO Lead at Sherlock.
Since the governance vote for the Audit Request team is currently active, I’d like to share some thoughts on why we think it’s critical to have multiple audit firms represented in this important role.
The Audit Request team plays a pivotal role in the security of the Optimism ecosystem, influencing which protocols receive audit subsidies and which auditors are selected. If all members of the Audit Request team come from a single firm, such as Spearbit, the potential for conflicts of interest becomes significant. Even with the best intentions, a fully captured team could be vulnerable to self-dealing, where decisions prioritize the interests of one firm over the broader needs of the Optimism ecosystem.
By contrast, having diverse representation ensures that interests and incentives remain aligned with the community. A balanced Audit Request team fosters objectivity, transparency, and fairness, creating a process that prioritizes security above all else.
Right now, the two leading candidates in the vote (m4rio and Noah) are both part of the Cantina Fellowship and exclusive to Spearbit/Cantina, with a third Spearbit candidate (Sujith) also in the running. For this reason, we want to highlight GJaldon - he’s an exceptional candidate for the role and voting for him will help diversify the Audit Request team among multiple audit firms.
GJaldon (Gabriel) was a developer for 10 years in Web2 working with Golang (a language Optimism uses heavily). He’s audited Optimism directly as part of Trust Security and is top-ranked on Sherlock when it comes to Solidity codebases. He’s also been a judge on an Optimism contest, so he gets along with the Optimism team well and understands the other side of vulnerabilities (judging and fixing them). He’s currently a founding member of Blackthorn and a Senior Watson at Sherlock, and we think he’s one of the most suitable and well-rounded potential candidates. You can find his full application here.
For the security of Optimism and the trust of its community, it’s essential to prioritize diversity on the Audit Request team. GJaldon’s well-rounded experience, technical expertise, and understanding of the Optimism ecosystem make him a standout candidate who can contribute significantly to a fair and effective process.
Thank you for considering these points as you cast your vote. Together, we can ensure the long-term security and integrity of the Optimism ecosystem.