Boltz halts swaps indefinitely as AI-assisted attacks overwhelm Bitcoin bridge

Boltz, a non-custodial Bitcoin bridge linking the mainchain, Lightning Network, and Liquid, suspended swaps indefinitely after months of automated AI-assisted attacks overwhelmed its ability to patch vulnerabilities. The shutdown did not compromise user funds thanks to its hash time-locked contract design, but Boltz absorbed operational losses and lost a key service role for wallets such as Aqua and Bull Bitcoin. The incident highlights rising security risks for open-source crypto infrastructure and could reduce convenience for Lightning/Liquid users until alternatives emerge. The article also notes a separate market-wide sign of shifting crypto activity: altcoins now account for over 60% of Binance trading volume, with Bitcoin at 22% and Ethereum at 18%, suggesting broader risk appetite away from BTC dominance.