Bitcoin firms ask AI labs for same tools attackers already have
Reported by CoinDesk · AI-assisted summary by ChikoCorp AI News Desk
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Summary
More than three dozen bitcoin and crypto firms, led by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, have signed a letter urging major AI labs to grant open-source security researchers early access to their most powerful AI models. The signatories, including companies like Coinbase, Block, and ARK Invest, argue that defenders of bitcoin infrastructure currently use weaker tools than attackers, who have unhindered access to advanced AI capabilities. They call for early model access, computing resources, secure testing environments, and direct engagement with AI lab security teams to improve defense.
Why it matters
The letter highlights a growing concern that defenders of critical bitcoin infrastructure are at a disadvantage because they cannot access the most capable AI tools, which are restricted by safety filters or reserved for trusted partners. This imbalance potentially allows attackers to exploit vulnerabilities faster and more effectively than defenders can detect and fix them. Recent attacks on BTCPay Server and Lightning nodes underline the urgency, as AI-powered research has already contributed to finding and patching critical flaws.
Key context
Bitcoin Core developers, responsible for maintaining the bitcoin network software, are not included in AI labs’ trusted-partner programs. Publicly available AI models have restrictive safety filters to prevent misuse, but these filters also hinder proactive security research. In contrast, attackers have early access to offensive AI capabilities through private labs, public leaks, and specialized hacking tools. A volunteer group called the Bitcoin Red Team is using AI to analyze bitcoin codebases, submitting thousands of findings, including one that led to a patch for BTCPay Server.
Key numbers and entities
Key signatories include Coinbase, Block, BitGo, Blockstream, Anchorage Digital, ARK Invest, Bitwise, Foundry, Casa, Exodus, Brink, Chaincode, and Btrust. The letter demands five main items: early access to cyber-capable AI models, computing resources for code review, secure environments for private code analysis, eligibility for small and independent maintainers, and direct communication channels with AI lab security teams. The letter was published recently, coinciding with public disclosure of an exploit affecting Lightning nodes.
What remains unclear
The source does not flag open questions regarding the letter’s reception by AI labs or details about how early access and resources might be granted. It also does not provide specifics on whether AI labs have responded or plan to change access policies in light of these requests.