DeFi's Security Crisis: AI-Driven Attacks Overwhelm Traditional Audit Defenses

The DeFi sector is experiencing a surge in security incidents, with losses reaching $942 million since 2026. In the second quarter alone, there were 85 attacks, resulting in $775 million in losses.

The rise of AI-powered tools has accelerated attack efficiency and promoted the upgrade of defense systems. The security audit sector is transitioning from a dividend model to a competitive model.

AI has enabled attackers to find vulnerabilities in smart contracts at nearly zero cost, making un-audited protocols vulnerable targets. Large language models can now systematically scan thousands of contracts, including those with undisclosed source code.