Core Insights - The decentralized finance (DeFi) sector has achieved a 90% reduction in exploit losses since 2020, indicating its maturation as a financial infrastructure suitable for institutional adoption [1][2] - Daily loss rates in DeFi have decreased to 0.0014% by 2024, showcasing the sector's evolution from an experimental phase to a secure financial system [1][2] Security Evolution - The transition from 30.07% annualized losses in 2020 to 0.47% in 2024 highlights the implementation of comprehensive risk frameworks that have enabled DeFi systems to maintain institutional-grade security [2][3] - Five distinct security phases have characterized DeFi's maturation: - The "Experimental Era" in 2020 with 30.07% annualized losses due to vulnerabilities - The "First Security Revolution" in 2021 with a 96% improvement through professional auditing and bug bounty programs - A plateau in 2022 followed by a backslide in 2023 - The "Comprehensive Security Achievement" in 2024 with a 74% loss reduction despite increased complexity [3][4] Attack Patterns - Attack patterns have shifted, with yield aggregators declining from 49% of hacks in 2020 to 14% in 2024, while trading and automated market maker (AMM) platforms have risen to 18% of attacks [4] - Private key compromises have emerged as the fastest-growing attack vector, increasing from 0% to 20% of incidents, indicating a shift in focus from technical to operational security weaknesses [4]