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13 May 2026
35m

The Real Reason Behind Most DeFi Hacks

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a16z crypto show

Recent spikes in DeFi hacks, resulting in hundreds of millions of dollars in losses, stem from a combination of geopolitical tensions and the rapid adoption of AI by attackers. Rather than creating new vulnerabilities, AI functions as a powerful "spotlight" that exposes long-standing, inherent security flaws. To counter this, organizations must shift to a proactive defensive posture, utilizing AI to "red team" their own systems and identify bugs before they are exploited. Because social engineering remains a primary entry point for complex, multi-stage attacks, decentralizing access and implementing multi-party authorization are critical. Ultimately, the most effective defense involves embracing AI tools to validate suspicious communications and harden security protocols, moving away from reliance on individual human judgment toward more robust, machine-assisted verification processes.

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