In response to a sharp increase in crypto-related scams, decentralised finance (DeFi) platforms are embracing proactive risk detection technologies to safeguard users. A growing number of projects are integrating automated contract scanners and risk scoring tools to stop malicious tokens, honeypots, and rug pulls before they can inflict damage.
According to FBI data, crypto scams accounted for a record $9.3 billion in losses in the United States in 2024 alone. As fraud tactics grow more sophisticated, even seasoned traders are falling victim to smart contract exploits and counterfeit token schemes. In this climate, DeFi platforms are beginning to treat threat detection as core infrastructure rather than an optional add-on.
Honeypots, Rug Pulls and Token Spoofing on the Rise
One of the most dangerous types of scams is the “honeypot” token. These coins appear to offer high returns but are designed to block users from selling once they have invested. Another common attack involves token impersonation, where malicious actors mint near-identical versions of well-known cryptocurrencies. For instance, scammers often spoof stablecoins like Tether (USDT) and use fake addresses to spread them, resulting in so-called “address-poisoning” attacks.
A recent study revealed that nearly 43 percent of new crypto scams are tied to rug pulls, where developers drain liquidity from a project after drawing in investors. A further one-third of scams involve honeypots, underscoring the growing complexity and frequency of these threats in the Web3 space.
1inch and Web3 Antivirus Lead a Security-First Movement
To counteract these risks, leading DeFi aggregator 1inch has partnered with Web3 Antivirus (W3A), a blockchain security suite, to integrate real-time risk detection into its platform. The collaboration marks a shift in DeFi architecture, where security tools operate silently in the background rather than relying on user action.
Web3 Antivirus inspects every contract and wallet address a user interacts with on 1inch. Its system assigns a risk score and flags unusual behaviour before a transaction is signed. If a token appears suspicious, the platform immediately alerts the user, helping them avoid fake coins and potential scams.
Notably, the W3A integration does not alter the 1inch interface or slow down performance. According to the developers, the SDK and API can be embedded into any decentralised exchange (DEX) or wallet in less than two hours. The protection extends across all EVM-compatible chains supported by 1inch, including Ethereum, Base and Unichain.
Advanced Scanning Detects Hidden Threats
Web3 Antivirus’s engine is capable of detecting a wide range of scam tactics, including:
- Honeypot contracts that permit purchases but block sales by simulating user trades to reveal traps
- Impersonation tokens, which mimic legitimate cryptocurrencies for phishing or address-poisoning purposes
- Rug pull mechanisms, where smart contracts include code that allows developers to mint unlimited tokens or remove liquidity
- Predatory tokenomics, such as hidden commissions or extreme transaction fees routed to developer wallets
- Blacklisted or sanctioned wallet addresses, which are flagged automatically if linked to prior hacks or international sanctions
Each time a user initiates a transaction, the scanner runs its checks in real time. As a result, many malicious transactions are intercepted before they can proceed. 1inch noted that these embedded insights allow users to make safer decisions in an increasingly complex Web3 landscape.
Security Tools Expand Across the DeFi Ecosystem
The partnership between 1inch and Web3 Antivirus reflects a wider industry shift towards embedded threat intelligence. W3A’s tools are available to any DeFi platform, wallet or decentralised application via API or SDK integration. In addition, its Scam Pulse dashboard provides real-time monitoring of new threats, including phishing campaigns and malicious token launches.
This early-warning system gives exchanges and wallets the ability to respond to emerging scams before they go mainstream. It also supports compliance efforts by identifying and screening sanctioned addresses, making it easier for platforms to meet regulatory requirements.
W3A reports that its system has already conducted checks on tens of millions of wallet addresses through partnerships with various DeFi and fintech platforms. The growing demand highlights the urgency of building trust and safety into the user experience.
Towards a Safer Future for Web3
As DeFi matures, embedded security features are becoming essential. Relying on users to spot fraud or performing investigations after a scam has occurred is no longer viable. Instead, projects are prioritising proactive detection at the transaction level.
The 1inch and Web3 Antivirus integration showcases how seamless, silent protection can become a standard in the Web3 journey. As real-time risk engines catch threats before they reach users, DeFi platforms can offer a much safer and more trustworthy experience, a critical step forward in the fight against crypto scams.
