The widely discussed scenario in which artificial intelligence would trigger an avalanche of hacks in the decentralized finance sector has not materialized. Managing Partner at venture firm Dragonfly, Haseeb Qureshi, presented unexpected data: despite a record number of incidents in 2026, the median damage from attacks sharply declined to less than $500,000 compared to $2 million a year earlier.
Where Did the AI Hackers Go?
Analysis shows that attackers armed with AI-based tools have shifted their focus to less protected targets. The main victims were small or abandoned projects, while major DeFi protocols managed to significantly bolster their security. This indicates that the market adapted faster than expected, and preventive measures proved more effective than forecasts.
The decline in median damage amid a rise in the number of attacks is a paradoxical yet encouraging signal. It suggests that the DeFi ecosystem is becoming more resilient to mass threats, and hackers are forced to settle for "small fry," without risking attacks on systemically important protocols.
Expert opinion: The DeFi market has demonstrated a maturity that was not anticipated. AI tools have indeed changed the threat landscape, but not toward catastrophe—rather toward fragmentation of attacks. The main lesson for investors is not to panic over new technologies, but to monitor the fundamental security of projects.