# Strive CEO Matt Cole Warns AI Is Raising Bitcoin Self-Custody Risks

By Sonny Jang

Canonical URL: https://www.tokenpost.com/news/people/52175
Published: 2026-11-09T08:59:28.000Z
Updated: 2026-11-09T08:59:28.000Z
Section: People

> Cole said securing Bitcoin directly requires more work than people thought.

Strive CEO Matt Cole warned that artificial intelligence is increasing the risks of Bitcoin (BTC) self-custody, raising the demands on holders who take responsibility for securing their own coins.

“People thought self-custody was easy,” Cole said. “It was sold as easier than it is.” He described direct control of Bitcoin as a responsibility that requires work and said, “AI is now increasing the risks exponentially.”

Cole’s warning concerns the security work involved in holding Bitcoin directly. Strive, the Nasdaq-listed company he leads, has built a Bitcoin treasury of its own.

Strive previously said its holdings reached 32,773 BTC after a purchase of 3,311 BTC. Cole disclosed on Oct. 19 that purchases of 1,223 BTC from Oct. 14 through Oct. 16 had lifted Strive’s holdings to 36,818 BTC.