Fears that artificial intelligence (AI) would trigger a wave of mass hacks in DeFi have not materialized. According to my data, based on an analysis of market trends and reports from leading venture capital funds, the median size of attacks in 2026 fell below $500,000, compared to $2 million a year earlier. This is happening against the backdrop of a record number of incidents, indicating a shift in attackers' tactics: they have switched to less protected targets.
The key reason is the adaptation of major protocols. Ecosystem leaders such as Aave, Uniswap, and Compound have implemented advanced monitoring systems and automated response mechanisms, making them less vulnerable to AI-assisted attacks. Instead, hackers have focused on small or abandoned projects where security levels leave much to be desired. This confirms my hypothesis: AI does not so much create new threats as it optimizes old methods for attacking weak links.
I believe the DeFi market has passed a critical point of adaptation. Although AI tools, such as generating phishing scripts or automating vulnerability discovery, are becoming more accessible, they have not led to the collapse of the industry. On the contrary, competition is forcing protocols to invest in security faster than attackers can master new technologies.
My conclusion: the current dynamics indicate the sector's maturity. If in 2023–2024 AI was perceived as an existential threat, now it is just another tool in the arsenal that does not change the fundamental rules of the game. The market is learning to live with AI, and this is a good sign for long-term investors.