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Solving DeFi's hacking problem 👨‍💻

In the first five months of 2026, more than $840 million was lost to DeFi hacks. Here's why it's happening—and how it can be stopped.

Author

Stephen Graves
May 21, 2026

đź“ť What you need to know

DeFi exploits continue to grab the headlines, with more than $840 million lost to hacks in the year to date.

Experts told Decrypt that the attacks are exposing structural weaknesses across bridges and admin systems, with DeFi’s cross-chain complexity making it a “target-rich environment.” AI advances, meanwhile, are helping to expose vulnerabilities faster.

But while the amounts stolen may have increased, the actual number of incidents remains below its 2023 peak, with experts arguing that DeFi hacks are “solvable” as the crypto industry comes to terms with the fact that cybersecurity is a “full-stack problem.”

Why DeFi Keeps Losing Millions to Exploits

DeFi exploits keep piling up in 2026. Here’s what experts say is behind crypto’s security crisis—and how it can be fixed.

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đź“Š Myriad Insight of the Day

Crude Oil's next move: Pump to $120 or Dump to $55?
$120 67%33% $55
  
Why it matters
WTI slumped below $100 Wednesday—its sharpest one-day drop in over a month—after Trump said US-Iran talks are in the "final stages," per CNBC. Three supertankers crossed the Strait of Hormuz the same day, the highest-volume passage since the war began. Citi still flags upside risk if Tehran disrupts; Wood Mackenzie sees prices easing sharply if Hormuz opens by June. The crowd has nudged $120 from 73% to 67%, but with WTI back over $100 Thursday, the outlook still leans towards the price breaking higher.
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đź“š Watch, Listen & Learn

📹️ WATCH: SpaceX Files for IPO & Shares Surprising BTC Portfolio, Hyperliquid Soaring, ETH Leans Into Privacy

🎧 LISTEN : The Decrypt News roundup with TylerD - May 20th Hosted on Acast.

SpaceX is up over 100% on its BTC holdings. Hyperliquid is decoupling from crypto majors. And Ethereum is leaning hard into privacy.

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