Kerberus Acquires Pocket Universe in Seven-Figure Deal to Boost Crypto Protection

- Kerberus strengthens its Web3 security portfolio with the acquisition of Pocket Universe. - The move aims to enhance fraud prevention across the Ethereum and Solana ecosystems. On August 21, 2025, leading crypto security firm Kerberus announced it acquired Refract, the creator of the anti-fraud extension Pocket Universe, in a deal valued in the seven figures. This acquisition marks a strategic push to integrate Pocket Universe's technology into Kerberus's Sentinel3 security platform. The upgraded tools will extend protection across all Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM)-compatible chains and the Solana blockchain, addressing increasing threats in decentralized finance. On August 21, The Block reported that Kerberus plans to maintain Pocket Universe's user interface for its community of 200,000 users while also introducing new antivirus measures tailored to decentralized wallet security. This is Kerberus's second major purchase in a year, following its acquisition of Fire in 2024. Pocket Universe is known for its robust anti-fraud solutions and has become a trusted tool for detecting scams and preventing unauthorized transactions. According to Cointelegraph on August 21, the acquisition was a logical and strategic step to enhance Kerberus’s platform. On August 21, FinanceFeeds underscored the urgency of these developments, citing data from blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis that documented over $40 billion in illicit cryptocurrency transfers in 2024. Although ransomware incidents declined, social engineering and malware-based schemes surged as fraudsters increasingly use artificial intelligence to mount sophisticated attacks, making security infrastructure improvements critical. With its acquisition of Pocket Universe, Kerberus positions itself to counter these threats and advance its mission to protect users in the ever-evolving crypto landscape. Pocket Universe founders Justin Phu and Nishan Samarasinghe will step away from daily operations to explore new opportunities but will continue to provide transitional support to Kerberus. In addition, Ran Neuner, founder of Crypto Banter and CEO of Onchain Capital, will join Kerberus as a strategic advisor and distribution partner to help expand the company’s enhanced security offerings. According to market data from August 21 at 19:15 UTC, Ethereum (ETH) was trading at $4,260.685, reflecting a -1.17% change in its 24-hour trading volume. In the same period, Solana (SOL) was priced at $182.474, marking a -1.09% dip.