Bitcoin coalition demands frontier AI access to combat cyber threats

The signatories, which include industry heavyweights like Coinbase, Block, Galaxy, and Trezor, are not seeking public model access. Instead, they propose a structured program providing vetted experts with early access to frontier models, dedicated computing power, and direct communication channels with AI security teams. This initiative stems from a growing realization that current safeguards often hinder defensive research while failing to stop malicious actors who deploy open-source models on private hardware to automate phishing and malware development.

The urgency of this request is underscored by a string of recent security failures within the Bitcoin ecosystem, including a firmware error in Coldcard wallets that allowed for the theft of over 1,500 BTC. While volunteer efforts like the Bitcoin Red Team have successfully used AI to flag thousands of potential code vulnerabilities, the coalition maintains that frontier-level models are necessary to stay ahead of increasingly sophisticated, AI-assisted exploits. With Immunefi reporting over $110 million in crypto project losses this past July alone, the industry is moving to bolster its defenses through both funding consortiums and, now, this push for deeper technical collaboration with the AI sector.