Widespread fears that artificial intelligence would trigger an avalanche of hacks in decentralized finance (DeFi) have not materialized. As my analysis of the current situation shows, the market has faced a paradoxical trend: despite a record number of recorded incidents, the scale of damage has drastically decreased.
According to my data, the median size of attacks in 2026 dropped below the $500,000 mark. For comparison, a year earlier this figure stood at $2 million. This means that attackers, even using advanced AI tools, are unable to breach the defenses of major protocols.
My analysis confirms: hackers armed with artificial intelligence overwhelmingly target small or abandoned projects. Major DeFi protocols, recognizing the threat, have managed to dramatically strengthen their defenses—from multi-factor authentication to automated anomaly monitoring systems.
Why AI Didn't Become the "Killer" of DeFi?
The key reason lies in the shift in attack focus. Contrary to expectations, AI did not give hackers a magic key to breaking complex smart contracts. Instead, it became a tool for mass scanning and exploiting simple vulnerabilities in little-known protocols. The market, having experienced several high-profile hacks in 2024–2025, has learned to counter automated threats.
Expert conclusion: In my view, the DeFi sector has passed the point of no return in terms of security. AI attacks have ceased to be an existential threat, but this is no reason for complacency. The true danger now lies not in technology, but in the human factor—abandoned projects and developer negligence that continue to feed hackers with "easy prey."