Anthropic's new AI model 'Mythos' is changing security priorities in the cryptocurrency industry, with attention moving beyond smart contract audits to wider infrastructure. The model is noted for linking minor weaknesses across systems into attack paths. The shift is expanding checks to key management, signing services, bridges, oracle networks and cryptography layers. The industry is also moving from pre-launch audits and post-launch monitoring to continuous audits, real-time simulation and breach-assumed design.

The U.S. Department of Defense is operating bitcoin nodes to run network security tests, in its first official acknowledgement of such activity, as competition intensifies over using bitcoin as a national security asset. Admiral Samuel Paparo Jr said bitcoin is linked to national security and has cyber applications beyond its economic value. Iran, Taiwan and Russia are also considering or using bitcoin in payments or reserves. U.S.-China tensions extend to seized holdings and mining supply chains.