Question 1

How long does a smart contract security audit take?

Accepted Answer

The timeline depends on the size and complexity of the codebase. A simple token contract may take 3–5 business days. A complex DeFi protocol with multiple interacting contracts, governance mechanisms, and upgrade logic can take 3–6 weeks to complete. At Femto Security, we provide timeline estimates during the scoping phase.

Question 2

How much does a smart contract audit cost?

Accepted Answer

Costs vary based on lines of code, complexity, number of contracts, and urgency. Industry pricing for professional smart contract auditing services ranges from $5,000 for simple contracts to $100,000+ for complex protocols. Contact Femto Security for a scoped proposal tailored to your project.

Question 3

Does one audit cover all future upgrades?

Accepted Answer

No. If your contract uses an upgradeable proxy pattern, each new implementation must be separately audited. Even for non-upgradeable contracts, if you deploy new supporting contracts or change external integrations, those changes require independent review.

Question 4

What blockchain networks does Femto Security audit?

Accepted Answer

Our smart contract auditing practice covers Ethereum and all EVM-compatible networks including Polygon, BNB Chain, Avalanche, Arbitrum, Optimism, and Base. We also support non-EVM audits on a case-by-case basis.

Question 5

Is a smart contract audit required for VARA licensing in Dubai?

Accepted Answer

VARA does not prescribe a specific list of mandatory audits by name, but its technology risk management standards require demonstrable assurance over the integrity of smart contract infrastructure. For any VARA-regulated entity deploying smart contracts, a professional audit is effectively required. Our vCISO for VARA compliance service can guide you through this requirement.

Question 6

What is the difference between automated and manual smart contract auditing?

Accepted Answer

Automated tools are fast and effective at identifying known vulnerability patterns. Manual review by expert auditors is essential for understanding business logic, identifying complex logic flaws, and discovering novel attack vectors that automated tools cannot detect. Professional smart contract audit consulting always combines both methodologies.

Question 7

Can I use a bug bounty program instead of an audit?

Accepted Answer

Bug bounties are valuable as a complementary measure but are not a substitute for a formal audit. A bug bounty is reactive and depends on external researchers finding and reporting issues after deployment. An audit is proactive and catches vulnerabilities before users are exposed and before funds are at risk.

Smart Contract Security Audit: 2026 Ultimate Guide for Web3 and VARA Firms