DeFi: Millions Lost to Exploits in 2026

DeFi protocols lost millions again this year as attackers exploited persistent flaws in smart contracts. History of major DeFi exploits and root causes shows the same patterns repeating across chains since late 2025. Common smart contract vulnerabilities leading to DeFi hacks include reentrancy issues and unchecked external calls that let funds drain in minutes. Bitcoin and broader crypto markets feel the ripple when liquidity pools freeze after each incident.