AI Attacks on DeFi: Threats and Protection

In the world of decentralized finance (DeFi), the rapid growth of transaction volumes is accompanied by an increase in risks for users. Artificial intelligence (AI) is becoming a powerful tool in the hands of malicious actors, helping them find vulnerabilities in smart contracts, automate attacks, and create exploits. For instance, a study by Anthropic, using the SCONE-bench benchmark, revealed that damages from such attacks have exceeded $550 million.

To protect their funds, it is crucial for users to recognize the primary risks and begin implementing effective security measures.

Key Threats

1. AI-Driven Attack Automation
   AI models, such as GPT-5 and Sonnet 4.5, have tested hundreds of smart contracts to identify zero-day vulnerabilities. These exploits have been successfully executed on blockchains, including Ethereum and BNB Smart Chain, posing a direct threat to user assets.

2. Using Funds from Suspicious Addresses
   Transactions associated with addresses that are under sanction labels or have participated in hacking attacks can lead to account freezes on exchanges and significant challenges in asset recovery.

3. Fraud by Anonymous Counterparties
   The anonymity of cryptocurrencies complicates the recovery of stolen funds. Without thorough address verification, a user might send funds to scammers, after which retrieving them becomes virtually impossible.

How to Protect Yourself?

1. AML Address Verification

Before sending funds, check addresses for sanction labels and suspicious history using tools such as CipherTrace or Crystal Blockchain. This helps mitigate the risk of interacting with “dirty cryptocurrency.”

2. Choosing Secure Services and Platforms

• Use exchanges that operate within AML/KYC regulatory standards to minimize the risk of interacting with illegal assets.
• Prioritize projects that have undergone independent security audits (e.g., by CertiK or OpenZeppelin).

3. Asset Diversification

• Store the majority of your cryptocurrency in hardware wallets.
• For daily operations, use wallets with multi-signature (multi-sig) functionality or set transaction limits.

4. Smart Contract Verification

Before interacting with new DeFi protocols, ensure their reliability. Use source code analysis tools like MythX or Slither to identify potential vulnerabilities.

5. Staying Informed on New Threats

Stay up to date with the latest cybersecurity research. Regular monitoring and education will help you quickly adapt to emerging attack methods.

Conclusion

AI has provided malicious actors with new opportunities for attacks within the DeFi ecosystem, increasing both the frequency and effectiveness of exploits. To protect your assets, it is vital to take proactive steps: conduct AML checks, rely on proven protocols, and secure your wallets with specialized solutions. Remember that every transaction should be deliberate to minimize the risk of loss. Knowledge and vigilance are your best allies in capital protection.