DeFi Protocols Abandon Discord Amid Rising Scams

Decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols are increasingly distancing themselves from public Discord servers, citing security concerns as scams proliferate. This trend is exemplified by Morpho, a leading DeFi lending protocol, which plans to shift its Discord server to read-only mode and provide support through more secure channels. The move reflects a growing consensus among DeFi teams that Discord has become less safe for users.

Key Takeaways

Many DeFi protocols are leaving public Discord servers due to rising scams.
Morpho will change its Discord to read-only mode, focusing on secure support channels.
There are frustrations over Discord's inability to effectively protect users from scammers.
Alternatives like live support chats and email systems are being explored.
Discord’s security issues extend beyond the DeFi space, affecting user data privacy.

DeFi Protocols Flee Discord as Scammers Turn Platform Into "Hunting Ground"

Morpho’s Decision to Limit Discord Access

Decentralized finance protocols are stepping back from public Discord servers, arguing that once vital spaces for crypto community building have now turned into security threats that are increasingly difficult to justify as the industry evolves.

This week, Morpho, a prominent DeFi lending protocol, made headlines by announcing it would place its public Discord server into read-only mode starting on February 1, 2026. Users will be directed to a dedicated help page and chat-based support systems instead.

Morpho's action highlights a widespread concern among several significant DeFi projects that Discord has become a favored hunting ground for scammers, targeting users often as they seek assistance.

Addressing Scams and Support Risks

In a public announcement, Morpho stated the change aims to provide “safer, more reliable support,” consolidating all official communications through controlled channels instead of open chat rooms.

Paul Frambot, Morpho’s co-founder and CEO, noted that Discord has shifted from being a positive user support platform to one that is “more negative,” citing ongoing difficulties with scam attempts despite moderation efforts.

Co-founder Merlin Egalite further explained that even with preventative measures in place, the platform’s format makes it challenging to completely protect users from being targeted by direct-message scams.

Morpho is exploring alternative support tools, including Intercom, which Egalite mentioned would facilitate easier management of support through features like ticketing, instant translation, and automated assistance, while minimizing exposure to impersonation attacks.

The Broader Industry Response

The issues on Discord extend beyond Morpho. DeFi data platform DefiLlama is also moving away from using Discord, opting for live support chats and email ticket systems.

The platform’s pseudonymous founder, known as 0xngmi, commented that Discord makes it “impossible to protect users from getting scammed.” He mentioned that DefiLlama is taking a hybrid approach, maintaining Discord access but implementing additional verification measures to limit bots and guide users to safer support avenues.

Rising Frustrations Within the Community

Many voices within the industry share these frustrations. Richard Rodairos, a talent partner at Dragonfly, described public Discord servers as reflecting one of the lowest-signal communication channels in crypto today.

Marc Zeller, the founder of the Aavechan Initiative, labeled Discord as “full of scammers,” suggesting that Morpho’s move should encourage other major protocols, like Aave, to reassess their use of the platform.

Duncan Cock Foster, a co-founder of Nifty Gateway, acknowledged that moderating Discord had been a labor-intensive task for his business and praised Morpho's decision as a sound one.

However, this transition has sparked debate over the value of open community spaces in DeFi. Some argue that, despite its shortcomings, Discord has been crucial for peer-to-peer collaboration, enabling users to exchange experiences, provide feedback, and engage in real-time development discussions.

Conversely, others argue the issues stem not from Discord itself but from its execution. Suggestions include features like disabling direct messages, enforcing stricter verification, and utilizing on-chain tools to significantly decrease scams if applied correctly.

Security Concerns Beyond DeFi

Recent events outside the DeFi sector have heightened concerns around Discord’s security. In October, Discord revealed that an unauthorized party had accessed a third-party Zendesk support system, exposing sensitive data linked to age verification appeals.

Cybersecurity experts reported that over two million passport and driver's license images were compromised in this security breach, raising serious questions about how user data is managed and secured on such platforms.