Blockchain security experts warn that AI tools are enabling hackers to identify vulnerabilities more rapidly, necessitating continuous audits of smart contracts rather than one-time assessments. TRM Labs' Ari Redbord highlighted that the pace of attack technology development surpasses the coverage of single audits. A CertiK report revealed that hackers stole $1.32 billion in the first half of 2026, utilizing AI tools to exploit closed DeFi protocol codebases. Notably, Aztec Connect was hacked for $2.1 million three years post-closure, and mySwap lost $300,000 six months after shutting down. Zcash Shielded Labs engineers, using a custom audit agent based on Claude Opus 4.8, discovered a four-year-old vulnerability in the Orchard pool. CertiK emphasized that the largest vulnerability window remains open post-launch, urging old infrastructure projects to consider re-audits as a standard operational requirement. Currently, DeFi protocols hold over $72.3 billion, providing substantial motivation for hackers.