Although the "new worry" about quantum computers is often associated with the scenario of breaking Bitcoin's security, the reality is that this risk is driving crypto to upgrade its cryptography to become more resilient.
Quantum computers can accelerate the solving of certain problems compared to traditional computers, drawing the community's attention to SHA256 and digital signatures. However, rather than being the end, this could serve as a catalyst for standardizing "post-quantum" and upgrading blockchain infrastructure.
MAIN CONTENT
Quantum computers are a real challenge, but they also create motivation to upgrade security for Bitcoin and crypto.
The community is researching quantum-resistant signatures, a soft fork implementation roadmap, and post-quantum standards.
Quantum can improve performance, security, and open up hybrid blockchain models, rather than 'destroying' blockchain.
Quantum computers are not necessarily the 'doomsday' of crypto
Theoretically, quantum computers could threaten some current cryptographic assumptions, but Bitcoin and crypto have time and mechanisms to upgrade. The 'inevitable confrontation' view oversimplifies the technical reality and standardization roadmap.
Quantum speed creates pressure on security assumptions
Quantum technology can be much faster than traditional computers for certain tasks, and early experiments have already solved equations that traditional machines could take thousands of years. Theoretically, this raises concerns about the cryptographic components protecting the ledger and transactions.
SHA256 is mentioned, but 'breaking immediately' is not the default scenario
On paper, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could target cryptographic mechanisms like SHA256—often referenced when discussing the protective layer of Bitcoin. However, the risk depends on actual hardware capabilities, the attack model, and the ecosystem's ability to implement upgrades before the threat becomes a reality.
Bitcoin & Quantum Risk
Debating the potential risks quantum computers could pose to Bitcoin and how Bitcoin could mitigate that risk is nothing new
In 2008, several leading cryptographers, including Daniel Bernstein, published 'Post-Quantum Cryptography'
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— BitMEX Research (@BitMEXResearch) December 23, 2025
The 'complementary' perspective rather than 'destruction'
Rather than seeing quantum and Bitcoin as enemies, a more practical approach is to consider them as two technological directions that can complement each other: quantum creates pressure to raise security standards, while crypto provides the application environment and economic incentives to broadly implement new standards.
'Quantum computers and crypto are complementary technologies.'
– Charlie Shrem, speaking at Moneyshow (December 2025)
As a consequence, instead of 'finishing off' cryptocurrency, the quantum wave could drive Bitcoin to evolve into a more robust, secure, and scalable system over time.
Crypto can seize opportunities as quantum technology develops
The biggest opportunity is to transition to quantum-resistant cryptography and post-quantum standards. With an open-source model, Bitcoin can experiment, critique, and implement upgrades in a backward-compatible way, reducing the risk of ecosystem disruption.
Open source helps facilitate rapid upgrades and broad testing
Bitcoin's openness encourages collaboration between cryptographers, programmers, and academia. When a proposal is made, the community can simulate risks, validate assumptions, assess implementation costs, and design a phased transition roadmap—an important strength when facing fundamental changes such as post-quantum.
Quantum-resistant signatures and the 'evolutionary' approach
The crypto community is developing quantum-resistant signature schemes, including Lamport signatures. The focus is on backward-compatible deployment, possibly through a soft fork similar to previous major upgrades like Taproot (2021). This approach emphasizes incremental innovation rather than abrupt changes that could fragment the network.
'Quantum computers will not destroy Bitcoin—they will make Bitcoin stronger. The upgraded network, active coins will move, lost coins will be 'frozen.' Security increases. Supply decreases. Bitcoin becomes stronger.'
– Michael Saylor, post on 16/12/2025
Standardizing quantum-resistant algorithms creates a new security 'framework'
The recent standardization of quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seen as a significant milestone. Algorithm families like CRYSTALS-Kyber are mentioned as the foundation for a new security framework, helping the entire digital ecosystem—not just crypto—have a more synchronized implementation path.
'Quantum computers extract the foundational principles of nature, so they are more likely to support rather than oppose Bitcoin.'
– Charlie Shrem, speaking at Moneyshow (December 2025)
'Proof of quantum work' and blockchain experiments that can only be mined by quantum
Another experimental direction is a blockchain that can only be 'mined' by quantum computers, described as a practical application of 'quantum supremacy' in the context of blockchain. This model, tested on four geographically distributed quantum processors, introduces 'proof of quantum work' as an alternative to traditional proof-of-work.
Discussion about the 'quantum threat' to Bitcoin saw a significant increase in December 2024 and 'reheated' exactly one year later, with a sentiment described as more positive. The original post was on 22/12/2025.
– BTCPerception, 2025
Quantum may hold the solution to some of blockchain's problems
Instead of just being a threat, quantum can bring processing speed, optimize consensus, and create new security layers (such as quantum key distribution). Hybrid systems can leverage quantum advantages while maintaining Bitcoin's proven decentralized structure.
Mining performance and the energy problem
Compared to Bitcoin mining, which consumes a lot of energy—reported to be 176 terawatt-hours of electricity in 2024—some 'quantum blockchain' models are expected to achieve higher mining efficiency through quantum mechanisms. Although still in the experimental stage, this approach opens up the possibility of redesigning how 'cybersecurity is ensured' without necessarily relying entirely on power consumption like traditional proof-of-work.
Accelerating transaction processing and optimizing consensus mechanisms
Bitcoin's consensus mechanism is famous for its safety, but is often criticized as slow and resource-intensive. Quantum could open up ways to optimize some verification steps, increase transaction verification efficiency, and help solve scalability issues. The expected scenario is to enhance processing capacity to thousands of transactions per second without sacrificing decentralization.
Quantum key distribution and quantum random numbers to enhance security
Blockchain systems enhanced by quantum can leverage quantum key distribution and quantum random number generation. The goal is to increase security levels, reduce the risk of data leaks and unauthorized access. Instead of replacing Bitcoin's security layer, these technologies can play a 'reinforcement' role for wallets and transactions in specialized applications.
The argument that 'quantum computers will destroy Bitcoin' often recurs cyclically but is countered as lacking scientific grounding. The original post was on 01/12/2025.
– The White Whale, 2025
The ecosystem collaborates to transition addresses, transactions, and compliance
The quantum challenge is driving broader collaboration: exchanges, wallets, on-chain analytics providers, research institutes, and even regulatory agencies. The focus is on preparing to support quantum-resistant address formats and transaction types while maintaining compliance tracking and risk monitoring capabilities. Competitive innovation among projects (lattice-based, hash-based) can also spread benefits across the entire crypto market.
'We haven't even scratched the surface of what is possible. Quantum computers are becoming a new type of computer, and we need to think about the full implications of that.'
– Charlie Shrem, speaking at Moneyshow (December 2025)
The roadmap ahead for crypto in the quantum era
A reasonable roadmap is to prepare early: monitor quantum hardware progress, prioritize post-quantum standardization, and plan phased transitions. With an estimated timeframe of 5 to 15 years before a direct threat becomes apparent, crypto has the 'room' to upgrade without disrupting the network.
The 5 to 15 year timeframe is the 'preparation window'
Roadmap estimates often mention about 5 to 15 years before quantum computers could pose a direct risk to current cryptographic standards in crypto. The key point is to turn this 'preparation window' into an action plan: test new signatures, simulate attacks, design asset movement mechanisms, and create implementation standards for wallets, exchanges, and service providers.
Quantum blockchain can open high-security applications
As quantum matures, blockchains or hybrid systems may be suitable for areas requiring high security and computing capacity such as voting, supply chain governance, and sharing medical data. In that picture, Bitcoin could play the role of a decentralized 'asset layer,' while specialized application/sidechain layers integrate quantum tools to enhance privacy or optimize operations.
A 'symbiotic' future could make crypto safer and more efficient
The conclusion is that the relationship between quantum and cryptocurrency is not necessarily antagonistic. When crypto adopts quantum-resistant cryptography, leveraging computing performance and integrating new security protocols, the ecosystem can become more secure, efficient, and scalable—not despite quantum computers, but precisely because of the pressures and opportunities they create.
Frequently asked questions
Can quantum computers 'break' Bitcoin immediately?
There is no data in this content indicating an 'immediate' scenario. Risks depend on actual quantum capabilities and how the ecosystem implements upgrades. The common approach is to prepare quantum-resistant signatures and transition gradually to reduce risk.
Why does the community mention SHA256 when discussing quantum?
SHA256 is often seen as a core component of Bitcoin's protective layer, so it is frequently mentioned in 'quantum breaking cryptography' scenarios. However, the real story is often broader, involving digital signatures, attack models, and the network upgrade roadmap.
How can crypto upgrade to be quantum-resistant?
One direction is to develop and implement quantum-resistant signature schemes like Lamport signatures, prioritizing backward compatibility. The deployment could follow a soft fork mechanism, similar to the spirit of network upgrades step by step to minimize ecosystem disruption.
What does NIST standardizing quantum-resistant algorithms mean for crypto?
Standardization helps create a common technical 'framework' for digital systems to implement quantum-resistant cryptography. This content cites CRYSTALS-Kyber as an algorithm that forms the foundation of new security, from which crypto can inherit and apply to reduce vulnerability to quantum.
'Proof of quantum work' is what?
This is a description of a blockchain experimental direction that can only be mined by quantum computers. The model stated has been tested on four geographically distributed quantum processors as an alternative to traditional proof-of-work in the context of 'quantum blockchain.'
Source: https://tintucbitcoin.com/may-tinh-luong-tu-tien-dien-tu-co-hoi-hay-rui-ro/
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