Bitcoin Developers Seek Early Access to Advanced AI Models Amid 'Vulnerability Apocalypse'

A group of cryptocurrency companies has called on frontier artificial intelligence (AI) labs to provide early access to their most advanced models for Bitcoin developers. The letter, published by the Bitcoin Policy Institute (BPI), highlights the need for open-source defenders to stay ahead of evolving threats.

The signatories argue that without dedicated access programs, defenders may lack the tools needed to keep pace with sophisticated actors using advanced AI capabilities. These actors, including potential foreign adversaries, are reportedly using AI to sustain attacks on critical digital and financial infrastructure.

According to DefiLlama data, hacking activity across the industry surged in April 2026, with malicious actors stealing over $634 million from cryptocurrency platforms. This has raised concerns about the impact of advances in AI-assisted vulnerability discovery, which have contributed to what Immunefi's Mitchell Amador described as a 'vulnerability apocalypse' for the crypto industry.

The BPI emphasizes that open-source software supports critical digital and financial infrastructure, with Bitcoin alone securing more than $1 trillion in value. The group urges frontier AI labs to establish or expand standing trusted-access programs for qualified defenders of open-source financial infrastructure.