Morning Minute: OpenAI and Paradigm Turn Focus to Smart Contracts

Decrypt

by Tyler Warner

February 19, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Morning Minute: OpenAI and Paradigm Turn Focus to Smart Contracts

OpenAI and Paradigm have introduced EVMbench, a groundbreaking framework designed to evaluate AI agents' ability to detect, exploit, and patch vulnerabilities in Ethereum smart contracts. This initiative aims to address the growing issue of smart contract exploits, which have cost the DeFi sector over $5 billion in recent years. By leveraging real-world scenarios from audits, including Stripe’s Tempo, EVMbench provides a comprehensive benchmarking tool that tests AI models in three key modes: vulnerability detection, active patching, and exploitation. Initial testing reveals significant progress, with top AI models now able to exploit over 70% of critical bugs—a marked improvement from the previous 20%. The development of EVMbench reflects the increasing integration of AI into crypto security. OpenAI has also expanded its Aardvark security research agent and committed $10M in API credits through its Cybersecurity Grant Program, further supporting defensive crypto research. While this advancement highlights the potential of AI to enhance blockchain security, it also raises questions about the ethical use of such tools. The precision of EVMbench could be exploited by malicious actors, emphasizing the need for responsible innovation. This collaboration between OpenAI and Paradigm underscores a broader trend in the crypto space: the growing recognition of AI as a critical tool for securing decentralized systems. By grounding their research in real-world infrastructure like Stripe’s Tempo, the developers have created a practical framework that aligns with the needs of DeFi platforms. This integration is particularly significant given the rising importance of smart contracts in Web3 and the potential risks associated with their misuse. The release of EVMbench also signals a shift in how audits may be conducted in the future. Paradigm’s statement suggests

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Originally published on Decrypt on 2/19/2026