TechFlow News, April 23: According to Natalie Newson, Senior Blockchain Investigator at CertiK, real-time deepfakes, phishing attacks, supply-chain compromises, and cross-chain vulnerabilities will be the primary drivers of crypto-related hacking incidents in 2026. To date in 2026, the industry has suffered over $600 million in losses due to hacking— including the $293 million Kelp DAO exploit and the $280 million theft from Drift Protocol in April, both linked to a North Korean hacker group.
Newson warned that the accelerating development of AI will make attack methods increasingly sophisticated—including more realistic deepfakes, autonomous attack agents, and “agent AIs” capable of automatically scanning smart contracts for vulnerabilities. However, AI can also serve as a defensive tool. CertiK advises investors to verify URL authenticity and store assets in cold wallets to mitigate risk. (Cointelegraph)
