Infinite Token Minting

Definition ∞ Infinite token minting is a critical vulnerability in a digital asset’s smart contract that allows an attacker or unauthorized entity to create an unlimited supply of new tokens. This defect bypasses the intended supply cap or issuance controls, leading to hyperinflation of the token. Such an exploit instantly devalues the asset, rendering it worthless and causing catastrophic losses for holders.
Context ∞ News reports frequently cover incidents of infinite token minting, highlighting severe security flaws in smart contract design and auditing processes. The primary debate centers on the need for rigorous pre-deployment security audits and formal verification to prevent such fundamental economic destruction. A critical future development involves enhanced automated security analysis tools capable of detecting complex minting logic vulnerabilities before deployment.