• Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography requires over 2,500 stable qubits to break, far beyond today’s prototypes with high error rates.

• Industry leaders are proactively developing quantum-resistant protocols to safeguard the network long-term.

• Recent data shows increasing adoption of SegWit addresses among Bitcoin holders, enhancing resistance to potential quantum attacks.

Discover if quantum computing threatens Bitcoin in 2025: Expert insights on risks, timelines, and upgrades. Stay ahead with quantum-resistant strategies for secure crypto holdings today.

Is Quantum Computing a Threat to Bitcoin?

Quantum computing represents a potential long-term challenge to Bitcoin’s security, but it is not an imminent danger according to cryptography experts. Current quantum prototypes from companies like IBM and Google operate with limited qubits and suffer from high error rates, insufficient to compromise Bitcoin’s elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA). Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream and a prominent figure in cryptography, has stated that quantum computers capable of breaking Bitcoin would likely not arrive for 20 to 40 years, allowing ample time for protocol enhancements.

Quantum computing has made some progress, but not to the extent that it could pose a threat to the Bitcoin network and related wallets.

According to Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream and a cypherpunk who was once mistaken for Satoshi, quantum computers right now can’t crash BTC. 

He discredited a post that claimed that the only thing that could crash BTC by 99% from $87k to $3 is a quantum computer capable of cracking wallets and the entire network. 

Last month, Back said that quantum computers could only become stable and pose a threat to BTC in the next 20-40 years. 

Source: X

Still, the network could be secure by the time the risk becomes real. In fact, Blockstream researchers are already developing proposals for upgrading the Bitcoin network to a quantum-secure one. 

This perspective aligns with reports from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), which emphasize the need for post-quantum cryptography standards to protect digital assets like Bitcoin.

How Soon Could Quantum Computers Break Bitcoin’s Encryption?

Breaking Bitcoin’s encryption would demand quantum computers with at least 2,500 logical qubits operating error-free for extended periods, a milestone experts deem decades away. IBM’s latest prototype features around 1,000 qubits, but error rates exceed 1%, rendering them unreliable for cryptographic attacks. Google and Microsoft lag further with 50 and 8 qubits, respectively, highlighting the technical hurdles in scaling quantum systems.

Quantum computers utilize qubits that leverage superposition and entanglement for parallel processing, unlike classical bits confined to 0 or 1 states. However, challenges like decoherence—where qubits lose stability due to environmental interference—persist. A study by the Quantum Economic Development Consortium notes that achieving fault-tolerant quantum computing could require advances in error correction, potentially delaying viable threats to Bitcoin until the 2040s or later.

Charles Edwards, CEO of Capriole Investments, urges faster action, arguing that Bitcoin’s 2025 performance lag behind gold stems partly from quantum fears. He advocates for a 2026 consensus on quantum-resistant upgrades, such as integrating lattice-based cryptography. Edwards stated in a recent analysis that proactive measures could mitigate investor concerns and bolster Bitcoin’s resilience.

Perhaps one of the most vocal investors about the risks of quantum computing is Charles Edwards, CEO of Capriole Investments. According to him, BTC has lagged behind gold in terms of price performance this year because of the risk. 

The best solution, he added, is to reach a consensus in 2026 and make the Bitcoin network quantum-resistant. 

Source: X

For perspective, quantum computers differ from current classical computers because they utilize the so-called qubits instead of typical solid-state chips that operate on 0 and 1. However, they are currently difficult to create, scale, and shield from errors (such as overheating). 

So far, IBM has a working prototype with about 1000 qubits, while Google and Microsoft have managed 50 and 8 qubits, respectively. Alas, the error rates have been extremely high. 

To crack the current Bitcoin cryptography, a quantum computer must have at least 2,500 logical and stable qubits that can operate for days without errors. That’s why experts like Adam Back view the threat as a long-term issue, rather than an immediate or mid-term risk. 

Frequently Asked Questions

What Steps Are Bitcoin Developers Taking Against Quantum Computing Threats?

Bitcoin developers, including teams at Blockstream, are proposing upgrades like quantum-resistant signatures using algorithms such as Dilithium or Falcon, as recommended by NIST. These enhancements would replace vulnerable ECDSA without disrupting the network, ensuring backward compatibility for existing wallets in about 40-50 words of preparation time.

Will Quantum Computers Crash Bitcoin’s Price Soon?

No, quantum computers won’t crash Bitcoin’s price anytime soon because current technology can’t break its security. Experts predict stable, threatening systems are 20 years away, and the crypto community is preparing upgrades to maintain trust and stability in the market.

However, not everyone believes the threat is two decades away. 

Bitcoin Holders Seek Relative Security

In fact, most of the top firms that are pushing for quantum computers will be at risk if they develop one without proper safeguards. Based on this premise, even Strategy founder Michael Saylor has downplayed the mid-term threats posed by quantum computers to Bitcoin. 

“Google and Microsoft won’t sell you a quantum computer that cracks modern cryptography because it’ll destroy them, the US government, and the banking system.”

In the meantime, some top holders are already migrating to more resistant Bitcoin addresses (Segwit, blue) from the latest format (taproot, purple).

According to BTC analyst Willy Woo, Segwit reduces “quantum long range attacks” if the address is not reused. 

The number of Segwit addresses has been increasing since 2024. 

Source: Glassnode

Key Takeaways

• Long-Term Horizon: Cryptography experts assess that quantum threats to Bitcoin remain 20-40 years distant, prioritizing research over panic.
• Proactive Upgrades: Blockstream and other developers are engineering quantum-secure protocols to future-proof the network.
• Holder Actions: Migrating to SegWit addresses offers immediate protection against potential quantum vulnerabilities for Bitcoin users.

Conclusion

While quantum computing introduces a future risk to Bitcoin’s encryption, current advancements fall short of posing any real danger, as affirmed by experts like Adam Back and Michael Saylor. With ongoing efforts toward quantum-resistant upgrades and growing adoption of secure address formats, the Bitcoin network stands resilient. Investors should monitor developments from sources like NIST and Glassnode, preparing for enhancements that will ensure long-term security in the evolving crypto landscape.

Why quantum-secure BTC is urgent

Final Thoughts

• Cryptography experts believe that it could take decades for quantum computers to crack the Bitcoin network. 
• Some investors have already migrated to relatively secure Segwit addresses.