Today in crypto, Anthropic CEO slams Pentagon decision as "unprecedented,” OpenAI will deploy its AI models on Pentagon classified networks. Meanwhile, Wall Street giant Morgan Stanley has applied for a bank charter to custody, trade and stake crypto on behalf of clients.
Anthropic CEO slams Pentagon decision as "unprecedented"
Dario Amodei, the CEO of AI company Anthropic, responded to Friday’s announcement from US officials that the company is a “supply chain risk.”
Anthropic has been a major partner to the United States Department of Defense and agreed with all the AI use cases proposed by US defense officials, except for fully autonomous weapons platforms and mass domestic surveillance. He told CBS News:
“These are things that are fundamental to Americans: the right, not to be spied on by the government, the right for our military officers to make decisions about war, themselves, and not turn it over completely to a machine.”
The announcement from the US “Secretary of War” Pete Hegseth, and the subsequent news that rival AI company OpenAI signed a contract with the US Department of Defense to deploy its AI models, drew heavy backlash online.
OpenAI wins defense contract hours after government ditches Anthropic
OpenAI has reached an agreement with the United States Department of Defense to deploy its artificial intelligence models on classified military networks, just hours after the White House ordered federal agencies to stop using technology from rival firm Anthropic.
In a late Friday post on X, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced the deal, saying the company would provide its models inside the Pentagon’s “classified network.” He wrote that the department showed “deep respect for safety” and a willingness to work within the company’s operating limits.
The announcement came amid a turbulent week for the AI sector. Earlier the same day, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth labeled Anthropic a “Supply-Chain Risk to National Security,” a designation typically applied to foreign adversaries. The ruling requires defense contractors to certify they are not using the company’s models.
President Donald Trump simultaneously directed every US federal agency to immediately halt use of Anthropic technology, with a six-month transition period for agencies already relying on its systems.
Morgan Stanley applies for OCC bank charter to custody crypto
Morgan Stanley has applied for a de novo national trust bank charter, allowing the bank to hold digital assets on behalf of its clients — a move in rhythm with its recent crypto expansion.
A public filing with the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) shows the application for a bank trust charter was received on Feb. 18 under the name “Morgan Stanley Digital Trust, National Association.”
More details of the business plan were released on Friday, according to reports from Bloomberg and Forbes, revealing that the Morgan Stanley subsidiary will custody certain digital assets and execute purchases, sales, swaps and transfers to support client investment activities, along with crypto staking.
