Open-source AI fuels 440% surge in malware hidden on blockchains
MALWARE instructions hidden in blockchain transactions and smart contracts have surged 440 per cent in less than a year, opening a new front in cybercrime as hackers exploit powerful open-source artificial intelligence models to scale attacks, blockc...
Hackers are leveraging open-source AI models to significantly increase the scale and sophistication of malware attacks hidden within blockchain transactions and smart contracts, according to a report by blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis. The number of such malware cases has surged 440% in the past year, averaging 11 cases per day, compared to about two cases per day prior to the release of powerful Chinese open-source AI models in mid-2025.
These attacks now predominantly involve state-backed groups, particularly those linked to North Korea and Iran, due to the blockchain's ability to make attacks harder to disrupt. Blockchain, often termed as a "dead drop," allows attackers to hide key information about the malware's command-and-control server, making it difficult to block the malware's attempts to reconnect with its attacker.
The rise in these attacks is attributed to the open-source AI models' ability to generate malicious code with fewer restrictions, providing hackers greater control and privacy. While blockchain's transparency aids investigators, it also makes tracking and connecting campaigns more challenging.
Written by urgent.news from The Vibes's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
