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More than three dozen Bitcoin and crypto companies have urged major AI labs to give open-source security researchers early access to their strongest cyber-capable models. The group says current restrictions can leave Bitcoin defenders using weaker tools than attackers. Separately, Metaplanet has launched BitBonds, a new yen-denominated funding program.
The Bitcoin Policy Institute organized the letter, with Coinbase, Block, BitGo, Blockstream, Anchorage Digital, ARK Invest, Bitwise, Foundry, Casa, and Exodus among the signatories. Developer groups Brink, Chaincode, and Btrust also joined the request.
The signatories say Bitcoin Core developers cannot access trusted security programs that AI labs provide to selected partners. Public models can also block legitimate vulnerability research because safety filters may treat some defensive security work like malicious activity.
As a result, developers may rely on downloadable open-weight models that the letter describes as less capable. Attackers, meanwhile, can use public models, stolen corporate access, and specialised hacking tools without facing the same restrictions. Can defenders keep pace if attackers reach advanced capabilities before people who are maintaining critical open-source systems?
The group wants early access to powerful models before their public release and enough computing resources for meaningful security reviews. It also seeks secure environments for private code, access for independent maintainers and direct contact with AI lab security teams.
The request comes after BTCPay Server disclosed a critical vulnerability that attackers had already exploited against Lightning nodes belonging to merchants. Hardware wallet maker Foundation, another signatory, also lost its own node during the attack.
BTCPay later said AI can reduce the time and cost required to search large software projects for security weaknesses. A volunteer group called the Bitcoin Red Team has also started applying AI models to Bitcoin-related codebases.
The group has filed thousands of findings across hundreds of projects this month. Its work included the report that led BTCPay Server to patch the recently disclosed vulnerability.
Meanwhile, Japanese Bitcoin treasury company Metaplanet has expanded its financing options through a continuous bond issuance program called BitBonds. The Tokyo-listed company completed four privately placed bond series worth about 200 million yen, or $1.3 million.
The unsecured senior bonds mature in roughly three years and pay annual interest rates between 4% and 4.3%. Metaplanet began soliciting investors in late July and closed the first sale by August 13.
Metaplanet plans to use BitBonds alongside common stock, equity-linked securities and preferred shares as a core funding channel. Future bond sales will depend on funding requirements, market conditions and investor demand.
Unlike Metaplanet shares, the bonds provide fixed interest and principal repayment based on the company’s creditworthiness. Still, the securities remain unsecured, unrated and without principal protection.
The bonds also include transfer restrictions, which could limit liquidity before maturity. Bitcoin price movements also continue to affect Metaplanet’s financial position because of the company’s substantial exposure to the asset.
Metaplanet Securities distributed the first BitBonds to individuals and companies under Japan’s small-number private placement rules. Metaplanet said it may eventually consider registered public offerings as the funding program develops.
Crypto companies are seeking stronger AI security access for Bitcoin developers as new tools change vulnerability research. At the same time, Metaplanet has added BitBonds to its financing options, offering fixed-rate yen debt while retaining financial exposure to Bitcoin price movements.
