Haseeb Qureshi: AI agents excel in cybercrime, crypto usability issues stem from technology, and smart contracts can’t fully replace legal agreements | Bankless

AI's rise in DeFi could redefine transaction security and challenge traditional financial interactions.

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Add us on Google by Editorial Team | Powered by Gloria Mar. 3, 2026

Key takeaways

• AI agents have a unique edge in committing cybercrimes compared to humans.
• The usability challenges in crypto might stem from the technology itself, not just user error.
• Smart contracts cannot fully replace legal contracts, as legal agreements remain essential.
• Legal contracts are unpredictable, while smart contracts offer deterministic outcomes.
• Current blockchain interactions are not intuitive for human users.
• Human-driven crypto transactions may soon be considered outdated and insecure.
• AI can enhance transaction security by minimizing human errors.
• AI is expected to automate transaction approvals and risk management in DeFi.
• Automation by AI will disrupt traditional marketing strategies in DeFi.
• Consumers will greatly benefit from AI-driven efficiencies in DeFi.
• The role of AI in crypto could reshape how users interact with financial protocols.
• The evolution of AI in DeFi could change the competitive landscape for protocols.
• AI’s deterministic nature makes it superior in analyzing smart contracts.

Guest intro

Haseeb Qureshi is a managing partner at Dragonfly, a crypto investment firm with over $5 billion in assets under management. He previously worked at Earn.com, acquired by Coinbase, and cofounded a startup building a centralized stablecoin before entering crypto investing. Dragonfly’s latest $650 million fund focuses on stablecoins, DeFi, prediction markets, and AI agent payment infrastructure.

AI’s role in cybercrime

• AI agents excel in cybercrime due to their ability to scam and hack efficiently.

• The answer is crime… if you are talking about like scamming people hacking people

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• The unique capabilities of AI agents pose significant security challenges.
• AI’s competitive advantage in illegal activities highlights a critical area of concern.
• Understanding AI’s role in cybercrime is crucial for developing effective security measures.
• The implications of AI in crime necessitate a reevaluation of current cybersecurity strategies.
• AI’s potential in cybercrime underscores the need for advanced regulatory frameworks.
• The conversation about AI and crime is vital for future-proofing digital security systems.

Challenges in crypto usability

• The difficulty in using crypto may be more about technology than user error.

• If we’re still telling ourselves this ten years later then maybe the problem is not with the user

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• The narrative of user responsibility in crypto needs reevaluation.
• Crypto technology might not be designed for the average user.
• Enhancing user experience in crypto requires addressing technological limitations.
• The disconnect between crypto technology and users is a barrier to adoption.
• Improving accessibility in crypto is essential for broader user engagement.
• The focus should shift from blaming users to refining crypto technology.

The limitations of smart contracts

• Smart contracts are not a full substitute for legal contracts in practice.

• The reality is that that story never happened… we sign a legal contract

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• Even with smart contracts, legal agreements are necessary for security.
• The gap between smart contract theory and practice remains significant.
• Legal contracts provide a safety net in case smart contracts fail.
• Understanding smart contract limitations is crucial for industry stakeholders.
• The reliance on legal frameworks persists despite advancements in smart contracts.
• Smart contracts’ limitations highlight the need for hybrid solutions.

Comparing legal and smart contracts

• Legal contracts are unpredictable, while smart contracts are deterministic.

• If you’re an AI agent you look at a legal contract and you’re like I don’t know what’s gonna happen

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• Smart contracts can be analyzed step by step, unlike legal contracts.
• The predictability of smart contracts offers advantages in certain scenarios.
• Legal contracts involve random elements like judge and jury selection.
• The deterministic nature of smart contracts is beneficial for AI integration.
• Understanding these differences is key to leveraging smart contracts effectively.
• The contrast between contract types is important for legal and tech professionals.

Blockchain’s alien user experience

• Current blockchain interactions are fundamentally alien to users.

• The idea that as a human being the right way that you are going to interact with the blockchain

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• Blockchain interfaces are disconnected from human financial intuitions.
• The user experience in blockchain needs significant improvement for mass adoption.
• Intuitive interaction methods are necessary for blockchain’s future growth.
• The complexity of blockchain interactions is a barrier for new users.
• Simplifying blockchain interfaces is crucial for broader acceptance.
• Addressing user experience flaws is key to blockchain’s mainstream success.

The future of crypto transactions

• Human-driven transactions will be seen as outdated and unsafe.

• I think we’re gonna look back with horror at the idea that human beings were manually

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• AI can enhance transaction security by eliminating human error.

• The AI agent never gets tired never gets lazy never skips a step

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• The evolution of transaction security will rely heavily on AI integration.
• AI’s role in automating transactions will redefine security standards.
• The shift to AI-driven transactions marks a new era in crypto security.
• Human oversight in transactions will become less relevant with AI advancements.

AI’s impact on DeFi interactions

• AI will automate transaction approvals and risk management in DeFi.

• In the foreseeable future it’s going to be okay I present you this plan

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• User interactions with DeFi protocols will change fundamentally due to AI.
• The competitive landscape in DeFi will shift with AI automation.
• AI’s role in DeFi will lead to more efficient and secure user experiences.
• Automation will streamline processes and reduce manual intervention in DeFi.
• Understanding AI’s impact on DeFi is crucial for future protocol development.
• The integration of AI in DeFi could lead to new business models and opportunities.

Disruption of DeFi marketing by AI

• AI’s automation of discovery will disrupt traditional marketing in DeFi.

• When AI automates discovery how do companies compete with each other

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• Traditional network effects in DeFi will be challenged by AI advancements.
• AI’s approach to discovery differs from human behavior, impacting competition.
• The disruption of marketing strategies will require new approaches in DeFi.
• Understanding AI’s role in marketing is essential for DeFi companies.
• The shift in marketing dynamics will influence how DeFi protocols attract users.
• Adapting to AI-driven marketing changes is crucial for DeFi success.

Consumer benefits from AI in DeFi

• Consumers will benefit significantly from AI-driven efficiencies in DeFi.

• The answer largely is the consumer benefits… it’s good for users

  — Haseeb Qureshi

• AI advancements will lead to more advantageous outcomes for crypto users.
• The evolution of technology in DeFi will enhance user experiences.
• Consumers will gain more from DeFi as AI continues to integrate.
• The positive impact of AI on consumers underscores its importance in DeFi.
• Understanding consumer benefits is key to promoting AI in DeFi.
• The growing advantages for users highlight the need for continued AI development.