AI Could Make Crypto Security Cheap Enough for Everyone

Have you ever wondered how the apps that hold cryptocurrency stay safe from hackers? A big part of the answer is something called an audit — a careful review of the software code to find mistakes before bad actors can exploit them. Until now, these checks have been expensive and slow. New AI tools could change that completely.

The big news: A new AI system called Mythos was built to automatically hunt for weaknesses in code. Researchers say tools like it could reshape what the crypto industry considers "reasonable" safety preparation before launching software.

Here's why this matters. In crypto, much of the technology runs on smart contracts — small programs that automatically handle transactions (for example, sending money once certain conditions are met). If these contracts contain bugs, hackers can steal funds. That's why audits are so important.

What's changing with AI:

• Traditional audits can take weeks and cost a lot of money.
• AI tools could do similar work in minutes and for a fraction of the price.
• One expert said it "pushes the price of a basic audit toward zero."
• This means small projects that couldn't afford pricey reviews can now get fast checks.

Before AI, researchers used tools called fuzzers, which test programs by throwing lots of random inputs at them to see what breaks. AI takes a smarter, more flexible approach to spotting problems.

But there's a catch. Experts warn that AI cannot replace human judgment. Many of crypto's biggest losses don't come from buggy code at all. They come from:

• Social engineering (tricking people into giving up secrets)
• Stolen passwords or login details
• Human and operational mistakes

Interestingly, Mythos was only briefly available before being pulled from the U.S. market over national security concerns.

The bottom line: AI is making crypto security cheaper and faster, which is great news for developers and users. But it's a helpful tool, not a magic shield — humans still play a vital role in keeping money safe.

This is an AI-generated summary. Read the original article at: https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/06/20/ai-is-making-crypto-security-cheaper-faster-and-harder-to-ignore