Guardrail Rolls Out Real‑Time Detection‑to‑Response Platform for Stablecoin Payments
New York, Feb 16 2026 – The blockchain security startup Guardrail, backed by Coinbase Ventures and Haun Ventures, announced the launch of an integrated security model that links continuous on‑chain monitoring with managed incident response. The framework is already being used by Rain, a global stablecoin payments provider, to safeguard settlement contracts that power Visa‑backed purchases in more than 150 countries.
In‑depth overview
Stablecoins have become a cornerstone of on‑chain finance. Transaction volume for these pegged assets topped $27.6 trillion in 2024, eclipsing the combined throughput of traditional card networks. As enterprises, neobanks and fintech platforms move larger payment flows onto public ledgers, the attack surface expands beyond the smart‑contract code that is typically audited during development.
Guardrail’s new platform addresses the gap that exists after a contract has been deployed. While code reviews can spot static vulnerabilities, most 2025 thefts—over $3.4 billion in total—originated from runtime issues such as compromised private keys, mis‑configured wallets, or anomalies in off‑chain integrations that static analysis cannot predict.
The Guardrail solution works in two stages:
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Live detection – Configurable modules monitor transaction streams, state changes and cross‑chain events in sub‑second intervals across more than 30 blockchains. The system flags a range of out‑of‑norm behaviors, from economic anomalies and unauthorized permission changes to oracle deviations and unusual token approvals.
- Managed response – When a potential incident is identified, alerts are automatically routed to a response playbook built in partnership with Cant ina, a Web3 security operations firm. The playbook includes 24/7 triage, predefined containment actions (e.g., contract pausing, circuit breakers), and escalation paths that assign clear ownership to both on‑chain and off‑chain stakeholders. Evidence is collected continuously to support forensic analysis and compliance reporting.
Rain has integrated this detection‑to‑response stack into the smart contracts and custodial wallets that power its Visa‑linked settlement service. According to Rain’s CTO Charles Yoo‑Naut, the added visibility and automated safeguards allow the company to react to “anomalies early and act decisively,” strengthening confidence among enterprise clients that move billions of dollars through stablecoin channels each year.
Industry context
- Post‑deployment risk is now the dominant threat vector. Recent data show that more than 90 % of successful exploits targeted contracts that had already passed security audits, highlighting the need for runtime protection.
- Off‑chain weaknesses are gaining prominence. Phishing attacks, compromised API keys and operational lapses now account for the majority of fund losses, prompting a shift toward holistic security models that span on‑chain activity, API endpoints and user‑facing interfaces.
- Institutional expectations are rising. Enterprises asking for on‑chain payments expect the same level of incident‑management rigor that traditional finance enjoys—clear ownership, audit trails, and 24/7 readiness.
Guardrail’s model, which combines AI‑driven anomaly detection with an outsourced Security Operations Center (SOC) style response, mirrors the Managed Detection and Response (MDR) approach that has become standard in the broader cybersecurity market. By extending this regime to the blockchain layer, Guardrail aims to provide “the gold standard” for stablecoin infrastructure, as its CEO Samridh Saluja put it.
Key takeaways
- Real‑time monitoring fills the security gap left by static audits. Guardrail’s sub‑second detection across 24+ chains offers a proactive layer that can stop attacks before funds are moved.
- Managed response reduces mean‑time‑to‑contain. Integration with Cant ina means alerts are not only generated but acted upon through automated playbooks and human triage, a capability rarely available to individual protocols.
- Stablecoin payments gain enterprise‑grade safeguards. Rain’s deployment demonstrates that large‑scale, cross‑border payment flows can be protected with the same rigor as traditional banking systems.
- The model is extensible. While the current rollout focuses on stablecoin settlement, the detection‑to‑response framework can be adapted for custody solutions, DeFi lending platforms, and any on‑chain financial product that requires continuous risk oversight.
- Investor confidence may improve. With backing from major crypto investors and a clear value proposition for regulated entities, Guardrail’s approach could become a benchmark for future on‑chain security contracts.
About Guardrail
Guardrail provides a unified security platform that delivers sub‑second anomaly detection on more than two dozen blockchains. Leveraging AI‑enhanced analytics and customizable security modules, the service can automatically enforce protective actions such as contract pauses and circuit breakers. The firm currently monitors over $20 billion in total value locked (TVL) for protocols including Euler, EigenLayer, BadgerDAO and Bluefin.
For more information, visit guardrail.ai.
Source: https://cryptopotato.com/guardrail-launches-proactive-security-model-for-stablecoins/
