OpenAI and Paradigm Launch EVMbench for Improving Smart Contract Security

• OpenAI and Paradigm partnered to launch EVMbench.
• The EVMbench protocol will detect and fix Smart Contract vulnerabilities.
• OpenAI aims to set a measurable standard for assessing AIAgents in blockchain security.

American intelligence research organization OpenAI, in collaboration with Paradigm, a crypto investment firm, has launched EVMbench, a benchmarking tool to evaluate AI systems’ ability to identify, exploit, and repair vulnerabilities in Smart Contracts deployed on Ethereum-compatible blockchains.

A Research-based Product

According to a paper published by OpenAI, the AI company noted that EVMbench draws on 120 curated vulnerabilities. Vulnerabilities are sourced from 40 security audits, including sponsored open-code audit competitions and the security review conducted by Tempo, a Layer-1 blockchain co-developed by Paradigm and Stripe. 

Meanwhile, EVMbench’s design allows it to test AI agents across three core functions, including detecting security flaws, patching vulnerable code without breaking contract functionality, and executing controlled fund-draining attacks in a sandboxed blockchain environment.

For context, Smart Contracts are self-executing programs that run on blockchains. They are typically deployed to power decentralized exchanges, lending platforms, and a wide range of on-chain financial applications, particularly in the DeFi ecosystem. It is worth noting that Smart Contracts are typically immutable after deployment. Therefore, a ‘minor’ vulnerability can have significant implications, including substantial financial losses for users and protocols.

The EVMbench has Multiple Capabilities

Notably, EVMbench’s launch follows the recent exploit of the Moonwell DeFi protocol, involving vulnerable code written with AI assistance, and the CrossCurve cross-chain liquidity protocol, which was recently compromised through a smart contract vulnerability. Both incidents resulted in approximately $3 million in losses across multiple networks.

According to OpenAI, the new product will include multiple capability modes covering vulnerability detection, contract modification, and exploit execution. It will also eliminate exploitability within a controlled testing environment. Meanwhile, OpenAI aims to set a measurable standard for assessing AIAgents in blockchain security, considering the rising value of assets secured by Smart Contracts.

In the meantime, it is worth noting that Paradigm, OpenAI’s partner in developing the EVMbench, expanded its investment focus last year to cover artificial intelligence, alongside its crypto portfolio. Paradigm’s Head of Investing and Research, Alpin Yukseloglu, described the newly launched EVMbench as a benchmark and agent harness for exploiting smart contract bugs.

Related Articles: WLD Price Jumps 27% on OpenAI Integration Market Rumors