Predictions that artificial intelligence would trigger an avalanche of cyberattacks on the DeFi sector proved premature. According to data, despite a record number of incidents, the scale of losses has decreased. The median size of hacks in 2026 fell below $500,000, compared to $2 million a year earlier. This indicates that the threat has shifted toward less significant projects.
Why Major Protocols Held Strong
The key takeaway is that attackers using AI have primarily focused on small or abandoned DeFi platforms. Major protocols, on the other hand, have managed to adapt and significantly strengthen their defenses. This has led to a paradoxical situation: the number of attacks is rising, but their effectiveness is declining. The massive market collapse that many feared did not occur.
Analytical Commentary: The DeFi market is demonstrating maturity: threats are evolving, but defenses are not standing still. The trend toward low-level attacks is a signal for small projects: without audits and modern security systems, they remain easy targets, while sector leaders have already built an effective barrier.