Bittensor halts network after reported security attack on wallets: ZachXBT

The developers at the purported decentralized AI project Bittensor have temporarily suspended its blockchain network following a suspected security exploit involving users’ wallets.

Reports of an unusual attack on Bittensor wallets emerged in recent hours — leading to a deliberate network halt by the core developers. Bittensor’s block explorer shows that the last block was confirmed about three hours ago.

On-chain analyst ZachXBT first noted that the announcement stated potential thefts may be linked to leaked private keys. “Bittensor was halted due to additional thefts earlier today potentially as a result of private key leakage,” he explained in a Telegram update.

A Bittensor community Discord administrator, const [т, т], notified that all transactions have been paused to prevent further unauthorized access while the team conducts an investigation. “We are investigating what appears to have been an attack on a number of Bittensor wallets over the last 3 hours,” the administrator stated. “We are investigating, and in an abundance of caution, have recently fully halted transactions on-chain until there is more information available to us about the nature of this attack.”

According to ZachXBT, $8 million worth of TAO — approximately 32,000 native Bittensor (TAO) tokens — was stolen today, which likely prompted the foundation’s decision to secure the network against further incidents.

The TAO Foundation has yet to provide a detailed statement on the thefts as the investigation unfolds.

This incident has contributed to a 15% decline in the native TAO token. It’s currently changing hands at $231, with a market capitalization of $1.6 billion, according to The Block's price page.

This is a developing story.