Bitcoin Red Team Returns to Chinese AI Models After OpenAI Restrictions

cryptonews.ruPublished on 2026-08-10Last updated on 2026-08-10

Abstract

Rob Hamilton, CEO of AnchorWatch, reported that on August 8th, he began integrating OpenAI's cybersecurity capabilities into his work with the Bitcoin Red Team. However, the very next morning, his access was blocked despite having completed KYC and onboarding months prior. This restriction prevented him from continuing an audit of code changes to check for further vulnerabilities. Hamilton criticized this approach, stating it deprives defenders of powerful tools while attackers face no such limits. Consequently, Hamilton and the Bitcoin Red Team have turned back to using Chinese open-source AI models. The volunteer group, which uses AI and manual review to analyze Bitcoin-related open-source repositories, has found 1,288 critical and high-level vulnerabilities. While the cyber models from OpenAI and Anthropic produce "incredible results," the vast majority (74%) of the team's cumulative AI spending—over $58,000—goes to the Chinese model Kimi K3, with usage of Qwen 3.8 also growing. Hamilton noted that he and another team member are entering a "very Chinese period" of their work. The incident highlights tensions in AI access for security research, following a recent plea from 25 US companies urging authorities not to restrict Chinese AI models.

CEO of AnchorWatch Rob Hamilton reported that on August 8th, he began integrating OpenAI's cybersecurity program capabilities into his work with Bitcoin Red Team. However, the very next morning, he encountered an access restriction.

Yesterday I began fully integrating the @OpenAI trust cyber program into my Bitcoin Red Team efforts.

This morning I woke up to see this.

I am now being blocked from doing additional analysis on a codebase which I've already responsibly disclosed to, and have received... pic.twitter.com/Ain5RbOBDN

— Rob Hamilton (@Rob1Ham) August 9, 2026

As a result, Hamilton was forced to revert to Chinese open-source AI models.

"For clarity: this happened after I had already completed KYC and finished the onboarding process months ago to use the cyber capabilities OpenAI offers," he clarified.

According to Hamilton, due to the restrictions, he was unable to continue auditing code changes and checking if other potential vulnerabilities remained. He added that this approach by American AI companies cuts defenders off from the most powerful tools, while malicious actors face no such constraints.

When asked about Anthropic's policy regarding trusted access to its most powerful models, Hamilton replied:

"Haven't had problems yet. But I'll probably be downgraded from Fable to Opus, so it's kind of the same thing."

Bitcoin Red Team is a volunteer group that uses AI and manual review to analyze hundreds of open-source repositories related to Bitcoin. As of August 9th, the team of 25 participants had found 1,288 critical and high-level vulnerabilities in the Bitcoin ecosystem.

🚩 Bitcoin Red Team Update

We're continuing a large-scale security review of the Bitcoin open-source ecosystem.

25 Bitcoin developers around the world have been working on this task non-stop for 108 hours. pic.twitter.com/CwNXHgRmdn

— calle (@callebtc) August 8, 2026

In one tweet, Hamilton wrote that he and another initiative participant under the nickname calle are entering a "very Chinese period of life."

The Bitcoin Red Team stated that OpenAI and Anthropic's cyber models deliver "incredible results," but the majority of their cumulative AI spending still goes to Kimi K3 — nearly 75%. The share of Qwen 3.8 is also growing.

Our AI spend remains consistently high.

Our cumulative spend has passed $58K as we add more inference sources. Notably, we've started using cyber models from OpenAI and Anthropic.

These models are producing incredible results, but the vast majority of our spend (74%) still goes... pic.twitter.com/DGPn2aElxC

— calle (@callebtc) August 8, 2026

It is worth recalling that in July, 25 American companies urged US authorities not to impose restrictions on Chinese AI models.

The Dark Side of Kimi
end-content

Trending Cryptos

Related Questions

QWho is the leader of the Bitcoin Red Team mentioned in the article, and what specific problem did he encounter with OpenAI?

AThe leader mentioned is CEO Rob Hamilton of AnchorWatch. He encountered an access block from OpenAI the morning after integrating their cyber capabilities into his Bitcoin Red Team work, despite having completed KYC and onboarding months prior.

QWhat is the primary purpose of the Bitcoin Red Team, and what was their achievement as of August 9th?

AThe primary purpose of the Bitcoin Red Team is to conduct security reviews of Bitcoin's open-source ecosystem using AI and manual verification. As of August 9th, a team of 25 volunteers had found 1,288 critical and high-level vulnerabilities.

QWhich AI model accounts for the largest share (almost 75%) of the Bitcoin Red Team's cumulative AI spending?

AThe Kimi K3 AI model accounts for the largest share, representing nearly 75% of the Bitcoin Red Team's cumulative AI spending.

QWhat alternative AI solutions did Rob Hamilton turn to after being blocked by OpenAI?

AAfter being blocked by OpenAI, Rob Hamilton was forced to return to using Chinese open-source AI models.

QWhat concern did Rob Hamilton raise regarding the policies of US AI companies like OpenAI?

ARob Hamilton raised the concern that such restrictive policies from US AI companies cut off defenders from the most powerful tools, while malicious actors face no such restrictions, creating an imbalance in cybersecurity capabilities.

Related Reads

Stock Price Doubles Within the Year, Plummets 20% After Resumption, Baolai Medical's 'Chip Backdoor Listing' Script Ends

On August 10, 2026, BPL (300246.SZ) resumed trading after a nearly week-long suspension and immediately fell by a 20% limit-down. This plunge was triggered by the termination of a planned controlling stake transfer, dashing earlier market speculation. In January 2026, Zhejiang Quwei Zhihe Partnership entered as a significant shareholder, sparking hopes. Investors speculated that its backer, Weigu Information—a specialized "little giant" company in high-reliability solid-state storage chips—might be seeking a backdoor listing through BPL. This "cross-industry restructuring" expectation fueled a strong rally, with BPL's stock price more than doubling in 2026 prior to the halt. However, the deal was called off on August 7, directly causing the sharp sell-off. Underlying BPL's vulnerability is its fundamentally weak business. The company, a medical device firm, is mired in losses, having reported three consecutive years of net losses totaling over 200 million yuan. Its core hemodialysis business is squeezed by government procurement price cuts, while growth in its patient monitor segment has stalled. Furthermore, BPL faces imminent debt pressure with convertible bonds worth approximately 218 million yuan due in September 2026, and its current stock price is far below the conversion price. The failed control transfer may represent a delayed release of negative news, but BPL's core challenges remain: reversing operational losses and addressing its urgent liquidity crisis.

marsbit21m ago

Stock Price Doubles Within the Year, Plummets 20% After Resumption, Baolai Medical's 'Chip Backdoor Listing' Script Ends

marsbit21m ago

Moore Threads, Having Just Raised 8 Billion, Is Already Planning a Hong Kong IPO

On August 9th, Moore Threads announced plans for a Hong Kong IPO alongside a strong first-half 2026 earnings report. Listed on the Shanghai STAR Market in December 2025 as the "first domestic GPU stock," the company raised 8 billion yuan. Its stock price initially surged but has since fallen 40% from its peak. This decline followed market concerns over its use of substantial idle raised funds for low-risk financial products instead of promised projects. The company's H1 2026 revenue reached 1.74 billion yuan, a 147.4% year-over-year increase, already surpassing its full-year 2025 revenue. This growth is attributed to strong demand for AI and full-feature GPUs, particularly its Kuae AI computing clusters. Despite the revenue surge, Moore Threads remains unprofitable on a non-GAAP basis, with a net loss of 115 million yuan after adjustments. R&D and sales expenses grew significantly. The proposed Hong Kong listing aims to support its global strategy, attract international talent, and improve corporate governance, following the path of other Chinese tech firms pursuing dual listings. However, its港股 IPO valuation may face challenges as international investors could benchmark it against peers like Biren Technology, potentially demanding a discount. In summary, while Moore Threads is expanding rapidly and strategically seeking a港股 listing for global growth, it continues to face profitability challenges amid high costs and market skepticism about its capital allocation and valuation.

marsbit44m ago

Moore Threads, Having Just Raised 8 Billion, Is Already Planning a Hong Kong IPO

marsbit44m ago

Hassabis Predicts: AI's 'Move 37' in Mathematics is Only a Matter of Time

Demis Hassabis, the co-founder of DeepMind, predicts that AI achieving a "Move 37" level breakthrough in mathematics—solving a major unsolved problem like a Millennium Prize problem—is only a matter of time. He draws a parallel to the pivotal "Move 37" in the 2016 AlphaGo vs. Lee Sedol match, where AI's unconventional play challenged human understanding. Conversely, Lee Sedol's "Move 78" victory highlighted human resilience and the potential for human-AI collaboration. The article details AI's rapid progress in mathematics. Starting from basic arithmetic errors in 2023, AI systems like AlphaProof and Gemini Deep Think reached gold-medal levels in the International Mathematical Olympiad by 2025. The shift from problem-solving to genuine research began in 2025, with AI (e.g., GPT-5, Claude Fable 5) contributing key ideas to solve or refute long-standing conjectures like the Erdős problem 848 and the Jacobian conjecture. In 2026, AI achieved breakthroughs such as OpenAI's solution to the plane unit-distance problem and DeepMind's Aletheia agent autonomously tackling multiple open problems. Hassabis envisions a "centaur" era of science, where human intuition guides AI in complex, less-verifiable fields like biology and drug discovery. While AI can enhance human creativity and efficiency, as seen in post-AlphaGo围棋, there is a risk of over-reliance diminishing human judgment. The core challenge is for humanity to find its own "Move 78"—leveraging AI while maintaining critical insight and direction.

marsbit46m ago

Hassabis Predicts: AI's 'Move 37' in Mathematics is Only a Matter of Time

marsbit46m ago

Trading

Spot

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

1.7k Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片