Catenaa, Tuesday, June 24, 2025-A new report warns that Bitcoin could face major security threats if quantum computing breakthroughs emerge sooner than expected, urging the community to prepare both short- and long-term defenses.
The study outlines a dual-track strategy: a seven-year migration to quantum-resistant protocols and a two-year emergency plan in case of a sudden quantum leap.
While no cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) yet exists, researchers emphasize that ~6.5 million Bitcoin, about 33% of total supply, are already vulnerable due to public key exposure and address reuse.
Quantum computers pose two main risks: theft through private key extraction and mining centralization. While the former may become feasible within a decade, the latter remains a more distant concern.
Most current Bitcoin funds stored in hashed addresses are safe, but spending them post-quantum would require added cryptographic infrastructure.
The US National Institute of Standards and Technology recommends moving to post-quantum cryptography by 2035, and tech giants like Google, Apple, and Cloudflare are already adopting hybrid encryption schemes.
Bitcoin, however, lags behind, with migration requiring protocol upgrades, larger signature schemes, and consensus across a decentralized ecosystem.
The report also raises a critical ethical dilemma: Should vulnerable coins be burned to prevent quantum theft, or left accessible, risking massive wealth transfers? Each option carries implications for Bitcoin’s core principles and future valuation.
