Boltz Bridge Bites the Dust Amidst AI-Powered Attacks

Boltz, a non-custodial bridge that connects Bitcoin's mainchain to other layers like Lightning and Liquid, has indefinitely suspended its swap services citing AI-assisted attacks on its infrastructure. The team behind Boltz stated that automated probing of their system has increased significantly over the past few months, with attackers iterating faster than they can patch vulnerabilities.

The suspension affects wallets such as Bull Bitcoin and Aqua, which rely on Boltz for Lightning and Liquid swaps. Francis Pouliot, CEO of Bull Bitcoin, confirmed that the company is shifting its priorities to restore these functions. Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, the firm behind the Aqua wallet, stated that restoring Liquid and Lightning swaps is their top priority.

The incident highlights the growing concern among open-source developers about defending against AI-powered attackers. Lucas Ferreira, executive director of Vinteum, a bitcoin research and development nonprofit, emphasized the need for more funding to secure and maintain open-source infrastructure.