40+ Crypto Firms Petition AI Labs for Controlled Access to Frontier Models

Woofun AI reports that a coalition of more than 40 crypto firms, including Coinbase, Block, BitGo, Blockstream, and ARK Invest, has formally requested that major AI laboratories grant qualified security researchers controlled access to their most capable models. Organized by the Bitcoin Policy Institute, this open letter positions crypto infrastructure defense as a critical use case for frontier AI deployment, arguing that defenders must wield tools comparable to those exploited by sophisticated attackers.

The urgency of this proposal is underscored by the evolving threat landscape documented in publications from August 10. Anthropic noted in 2025 that criminals are increasingly leveraging AI coding tools to facilitate complex extortion operations, which have targeted at least 17 organizations. This trend highlights how AI lowers technical barriers for cybercrime, automating attack vectors that previously required specialized expertise, thereby widening the gap between offensive capabilities and defensive resources.

Structurally, the core argument rests on the asymmetry between open-source infrastructure and proprietary AI power. Researchers tasked with securing wallets, node software, custody systems, and signing infrastructure often lack access to the advanced models attackers utilize. The signatories do not seek unrestricted access but rather the establishment of trusted-access programs with appropriate safeguards. This controlled environment would allow experts to test systems, improve code reviews, and accelerate remediation for vulnerabilities in widely used libraries before they can be exploited.

Per Woofun AI, this strategic push coincides with the launch of the Bitcoin Security Consortium, a parallel funding initiative backed by BlackRock, MicroStrategy, Fidelity Digital Assets, Galaxy, Anchorage Digital, Block, Blockstream, Coinbase, and ARK Invest. These institutions have pledged a combined $15 million over three years to support Bitcoin security research and open-source development. A significant portion of this capital is directed toward post-quantum cryptography, addressing long-term cryptographic risks while the AI access request targets immediate software vulnerabilities.

The convergence of these initiatives reflects a dual-pronged approach to securing digital assets. While the consortium provides essential financial support to developers and researchers maintaining Bitcoin, the petition for AI access seeks to enhance their technical efficacy. Equipping specialists with frontier AI tools could significantly improve the detection and resolution of bugs, creating a more resilient defense against increasingly automated cyber threats.