Sign up to save tools and stay up to date with the latest in AI
bg
bg
1

Get Smart: Ending Web3's Over-Reliance On Contract Audits

Jan 24, 2024 - forbes.com
The article discusses the vulnerabilities of smart contracts in the blockchain and the need for improved security measures. Despite the growth of digital assets in 2023, with the total market capitalization rising to over $1.4 trillion, the year also saw aggressive regulatory actions, high-profile criminal convictions, and significant thefts due to smart contract vulnerabilities. Examples of these include the LendHub $6 million exploit, the BonqDAO $120 million exploit, and the Euler Finance $197 million exploit. The article highlights that current methods of securing smart contracts, such as audits, are insufficient as they are backward-facing and cannot guarantee a bug-free contract.

The author suggests that AI could potentially improve the smart contract audit process, but acknowledges that current AI capabilities are not sufficient. As an immediate solution, the author proposes additional security measures during blockchain transactions, such as address inspection, smart contract history tracing, and frontrunning to stop suspicious transactions. The author emphasizes the need for increased security at every stage of blockchain transactions to mitigate the risks associated with smart contracts.

Key takeaways:

  • Despite the growth of the digital asset market, smart contracts remain a significant vulnerability, often targeted by hackers due to their handling of large sums and high-value tokens.
  • Current methods of securing smart contracts, such as audits, are not foolproof and lack widely adopted standards for verification, leading to numerous high-value exploits.
  • Artificial Intelligence (AI) has shown potential in identifying vulnerabilities in smart contracts, but it is not yet capable of providing a comprehensive solution.
  • Additional security measures are needed during blockchain transactions, such as address inspection, smart contract history tracing, and frontrunning to prevent theft and make transactions less attractive to bad actors.
View Full Article

Comments (0)

Be the first to comment!