Catenaa, Saturday, November 08, 2025- Bitcoin faces a potential long-term threat from quantum computing, but experts warn market panic could cause disruption well before the math itself fails.
Quantum computers could eventually break Bitcoin’s elliptic-curve cryptography, exposing private keys and vulnerable wallets.
Current research suggests that machines with millions of error-corrected qubits would be needed to compromise Bitcoin, a milestone likely more than a decade away.
IBM, Google, and Caltech have demonstrated significant advances in qubit entanglement, but practical, large-scale quantum attacks remain theoretical.
Despite the distant timeline, the real danger may arise from investor fear. Cryptocurrencies have previously suffered flash crashes triggered by false reports or political developments.
Experts caution that even a mistaken claim about quantum vulnerability could prompt massive sell-offs, undermining confidence in Bitcoin long before a quantum computer is capable of an attack.
Post-quantum cryptography standards, such as lattice-based ML-DSA, are being developed to secure Bitcoin and other digital assets. Some blockchains, including Quantum Resistant Ledger, Algorand, and IOTA, have implemented quantum-resistant signatures, while Bitcoin and Ethereum are gradually exploring hybrid and post-quantum upgrades.
The challenge lies in decentralized governance; any protocol-level cryptographic change requires consensus among miners, developers, and network nodes, making implementation politically and technically complex.
Experts recommend gradual adoption of post-quantum signatures, short-lived keys, and careful migration of funds. While the quantum threat remains distant, preparation now is essential to avoid a crisis driven by speculation and panic rather than physics.
