Predictions that artificial intelligence would trigger an avalanche of attacks on decentralized finance have not materialized. As my analysis of market data shows, despite a record number of incidents in 2026, the median damage from hacks has sharply declined—to below $500,000, compared to about $2 million a year earlier.
This indicates that attackers using AI have largely shifted to less protected targets—small protocols or abandoned projects. Major DeFi ecosystems, on the other hand, have managed to significantly strengthen their security by implementing multi-layered monitoring systems and automated threat response mechanisms.
My professional perspective
This dynamic is a natural result of market evolution: while hackers master AI tools, leading DeFi protocols invest in predictive analytics and smart contract auditing. In the coming years, we will see further stratification: small projects will remain vulnerable, while major players will build on their technological advantage. Investors should consider this trend when choosing platforms for liquidity deployment.