120,000 Bitcoin (BTC) Wallets at Risk With This Vulnerability

**Known Bug in Libbitcoin Explorer (bx) 3.x Puts Over 120,000 Bitcoin Wallets at Risk**

A critical vulnerability discovered in the Libbitcoin Explorer (bx) 3.x library has exposed more than 120,000 Bitcoin (BTC) wallets worldwide to potential hacking attempts. The issue stems from a weak random number generation method, making it significantly easier for attackers to guess seed phrases and compromise wallet security.

### Thousands of Bitcoin Wallets Vulnerable to Brute Force Attacks

First identified in November 2023, this vulnerability continues to leave non-custodial Bitcoin wallets susceptible to brute force attacks. On October 17, 2025, the OneKey wallet team shared an overview of the potential attack vector involving the vulnerable library.

The Libbitcoin Explorer (bx) library—a software development toolkit used to build Bitcoin wallets in C++—uses the Mersenne Twister-32 algorithm for random number generation. However, this algorithm was seeded solely with the system time, limiting the seed space to just 2³² possible values. This restricted seed space considerably weakens wallet security, making it easier for attackers to enumerate potential seeds.

As a result, wallets generated with certain versions of Trust Wallet and directly through Libbitcoin Explorer (bx) 3.x can be recovered by malicious actors.

### How Does the Hack Work?

Because the seed space is so small, a high-performance personal computer can exhaustively enumerate all possible seeds within days. This capability allows attackers to predict private keys generated at specific times, enabling them to steal assets on a massive scale.

Despite this weakness in the random number generator (RNG) being publicly known for over two years, many Bitcoin users relying on affected wallets still face significant risks.

### Three Steps to Protect Your Funds

To safeguard your Bitcoin holdings, users with non-custodial wallets created using vulnerable tools between 2017 and 2023 should take the following precautionary measures:

1. **Move Funds to Secure Wallets**
Transfer your assets to wallets protected by Cryptographically Secure Pseudo-Random Number Generators (CSPRNG) to ensure stronger randomness and security.

2. **Generate New Seed Phrases Using BIP 39 Standards**
Creating new seed phrases based on the BIP 39 specification can add an essential security layer to your Bitcoin wallet.

3. **Audit All Paper and Hardware Wallets**
Review any physical wallets that may be affected by the vulnerability, known in the community as the “Milk Sad Case,” and replace them if necessary.

For software wallet users, always keep your wallet applications and operating systems updated to the latest versions to minimize the risk of exploits.

By following these steps, Bitcoin users can reduce the risk of falling victim to brute force attacks targeting wallets generated with the flawed Libbitcoin Explorer (bx) 3.x library. Staying informed and proactive is essential in protecting your digital assets.
https://u.today/120000-bitcoin-btc-wallets-at-risk-with-this-vulnerability

Public Mining Companies Secure Billions in Debt to Shift Focus Towards AI Development

**Public Mining Companies Raise Billions in Debt to Pivot into AI and HPC Services**

Public mining companies are increasingly raising large amounts of capital to transition from traditional Bitcoin mining toward artificial intelligence (AI) and high-performance computing (HPC) services. By leveraging sizable debt offerings, these firms aim to fund expansions into AI infrastructure, signaling a significant strategic shift within the sector.

### Shift in Funding Strategies

In late 2024 and early 2025, public mining companies made headlines by raising billions in debt to support their foray into AI and HPC ventures. For instance, Bitfarms secured $500 million through convertible senior notes, while TeraWulf proposed a substantial $3.2 billion debt issuance to finance its data center expansion.

This marks a departure from previous financing methods, where mining rigs themselves served as collateral for loans. The total debt raised by mining firms in late 2024 hit a record $4.6 billion—the largest influx since 2021. Although debt issuances dipped below $200 million early in 2025, they rebounded sharply to $1.5 billion by the second quarter, reflecting a growing enthusiasm for AI and computing infrastructure as core growth drivers.

### AI and HPC Infrastructure as New Revenue Sources

Mining companies are actively pivoting toward building AI and HPC infrastructure to diversify their income streams beyond volatile Bitcoin mining operations. Bitfarms, for example, obtained a $300 million loan to develop HPC facilities at its Panther Creek project.

These initiatives offer the potential for more stable, long-term growth. The expansion into AI infrastructure also aligns with the surging global demand for cloud computing and AI services. By tapping into this expanding market for data-driven applications, mining firms hope to reduce their dependency on cryptocurrency profits and mitigate the volatility associated with mining.

### Risks Associated with Debt-Fueled Expansion

While the AI pivot opens new horizons, it carries notable financial risks. The heavy reliance on debt means companies must meet ambitious performance goals to justify their borrowings. Failure to generate expected revenue from AI or HPC projects could result in significant equity dilution, adversely impacting shareholders.

External challenges compound these risks. Increased mining difficulty has squeezed Bitcoin mining profitability, while rising costs of debt financing add further pressure. To remain competitive, mining companies must carefully balance innovation investments against financial stability.

### Looking Ahead

Public mining companies are experimenting with new financial models in hopes of successfully transitioning into AI and data services providers. This strategic shift has the potential to transform the industry landscape, but its success depends heavily on how well these firms manage their debt and deliver consistent growth.

The coming months will be critical in determining whether this pivot can create sustainable value or whether the risks associated with mounting debt and market uncertainties will outweigh the potential upsides.

*Stay tuned for more updates on how the intersection of cryptocurrency mining and emerging technologies like AI and HPC is reshaping the future of public mining companies.*
https://coincentral.com/public-mining-companies-secure-billions-in-debt-to-shift-focus-towards-ai-development/