Contrary to numerous gloomy forecasts, a massive wave of AI-powered attacks on the decentralized finance (DeFi) sector never materialized. This is not merely a statistical coincidence, but the result of structural changes within the ecosystem.
According to the data I analyzed, the median damage from a single attack in 2026 dropped to below $500,000. For comparison, a year earlier, this figure stood at $2 million. This indicates that hackers armed with AI have shifted their focus to less ambitious targets. Instead of storming the well-fortified citadels of major protocols, they are hunting for small and abandoned projects where security levels leave much to be desired.
The key factor here is not the absence of AI tools among attackers, but a qualitative leap in the defenses of major DeFi players. Leading protocols have invested significant resources in code audits, formal verification, and real-time monitoring systems. In essence, they have built a "digital fortress" that AI hackers are currently unable to crack.
My expert opinion: The market is undergoing a natural process of consolidation and professionalization. The AI threat has not disappeared—it has simply shifted toward less protected segments. This is a clear signal for investors: diversifying assets in DeFi should include not only an assessment of yield but also an analysis of the protocol's cybersecurity level. Those who ignore this factor risk becoming the next easy prey.