quantum

The threat of quantum computers in the Bitcoin (BTC) ecosystem is back on the agenda. A Bitcoin developer said the industry is unprepared for a future where state-backed institutions could hack cryptocurrency infrastructures through super-fast quantum computers.
The warning came during a panel discussion at today’s ETHDenver conference. The panel included Bitcoin developer Hunter Beast, Bitcoin Rails podcast host Isabel Foxen Duke, and Alex Pruden, CEO of Project 11, a company working on blockchain security against quantum threats.
Beast pointed out that the risk is more complex than initially thought, saying, “We’re not prepared for all the effects this will have right now. We’re facing an extremely broad and multifaceted problem.”
Concerns about the quantum threat gained momentum with the Willow quantum chip, introduced by Google in December 2024.According to Project 11 CEO Pruden, Willow isn’t directly capable of breaking Bitcoin; however, it represents a critical milestone in demonstrating that this technology is on a scalable path.
In addition, an academic study published this month by researchers in Sydney, Australia, revealed that some types of encryption (including Bitcoin wallets) can be broken with quantum computers that have lower capacity than previously thought.
Pruden stated, “The threshold for breaking down is decreasing, but at the same time, technological progress is accelerating. At some point, these two lines will intersect.”
According to Beast, the quantum race isn’t just about technology giants. “The real big players are intelligence agencies,” Beast said, adding that the technology costs billions of dollars and its primary strategic use is in interstate codebreaking capabilities.Quantum computers have the potential to break not only Bitcoin’s cryptography but also the widely used RSA encryption system worldwide. This means that a country that develops a powerful quantum computer could gain an advantage in accessing the encrypted data of other countries.
While it’s generally accepted that Bitcoin will need to transition to new, quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms in the long term, there’s no consensus within the developer community.
Some influential figures argue that a cryptographically meaningful quantum computer is decades away. Bitcoin Core developer Luke Dashjr stated in December, “Quantum isn’t a real threat. Bitcoin has bigger problems to solve.”However, Beast finds this approach risky:
“We shouldn’t tie the future of Bitcoin to the assumption that technological progress will slow down.”According to experts, a quantum computer capable of cracking Bitcoin does not yet exist. However, both academic advancements and government-backed research indicate that the threat has moved beyond being a “distant future” and has become an issue requiring strategic planning.$BTC

Could BlackRock "Fire" Bitcoin Devs? The Quantum Debate Heating Up
The Bitcoin community is buzzing after VC Nic Carter warned of a potential "corporate takeover." The reason? A perceived lack of urgency regarding quantum-resistant upgrades.
Why It Matters for Traders
If big institutions feel their billions are unsafe, they won't exit—they'll attempt to fix the protocol themselves. This could lead to a massive fork or a change in how Bitcoin is governed.
The Core Data:
Supply at Risk:
BlackRock holds roughly 3.6% of the total Bitcoin supply.
Security Gap:
While only a fraction of addresses are currently vulnerable, the fear factor is driving a new narrative.
Price Impact:
Some suggest BTC’s recent price underperformance is tied to these looming technical fears.
Community Sentiment
The industry is split. While some see quantum as an existential threat needing an immediate patch, others believe the tech is decades away from being a real problem. For traders, the real risk is the potential for a "corporate" version of Bitcoin competing with the original vision.
#BTC #CryptoNews #trading #blockchain #quantum

Is Bitcoin Really Under Threat?
Headlines scream about quantum computers breaking Bitcoin, but the reality is far less dramatic. Only a tiny fraction of BTC is exposed, and practical danger is decades away.
still, like Ethereum today, Bitcoin’s strength is often invisible. When technology works perfectly and the network runs smoothly, the market doesn’t cheer — it just ignores it. That’s exactly what can make the next big move explosive.
How Bitcoin Could Be Vulnerable — And Why It Isn’t
Bitcoin relies on two cryptographic pillars:
ECDSA + Schnorr signatures
SHA-256 hashing
Quantum computers could theoretically attack these. But only 1.6 million BTC in legacy addresses are exposed — and just 10,200 BTC could realistically move markets.
Even if a quantum hacker existed today, cracking these wallets would take years per address. Panic is unnecessary — just like traders ignore Ethereum’s upgrades even when fees drop and Layer 1 activity surges.
The Quantum Computing Reality Check
Modern quantum computers are far from powerful enough.Google’s Willow has 105 qubits; breaking Bitcoin in a day would need 13 million — 100,000× stronger.
Experts predict cryptographically relevant quantum computers won’t appear until the 2030s or later.
So the immediate threat? None.
And the psychological threat? That’s another story.
Emotional Truth: Technology vs Market Attention
Traders often forget that real progress doesn’t guarantee instant price action.
Look at Ethereum:
Fees droppedThroughput increasedL1 activity returnedETH continued burning
Yet price barely moves. The market no longer hypes what “just works.”
Bitcoin is similar. Its architecture and defensive upgrades are solid, but traders fear headlines more than they appreciate stability.
This is the invisible stage where future wealth is being quietly built, unseen by the crowd. Patience beats panic.
Why This Matters to Traders
Ignore the hype, focus on fundamentals — BTC’s security is solid.Understand psychology — markets often ignore good news until scarcity or awareness hits.Risk management still matters — protect funds, diversify addresses, and keep calm.
When the crowd isn’t talking, it’s often the best time to act. Just like Ethereum quietly becoming essential L1 infrastructure, Bitcoin quietly strengthens, unseen — until the next rally.

Conclusion
Quantum threats are decades away, and BTC is far from vulnerable. Only a tiny fraction is at risk, and soft forks allow proactive upgrades.
The bigger lesson? Markets ignore what works. They hype what’s noisy. Bitcoin’s quiet strength, like Ethereum’s silent upgrades, is a signal — the stage is set for long-term gains, but only the patient notice.
$BTC $ETH
#WhaleDeRiskETH #quantumcomputers #quantum