Bitcoin’s long-term security is back in the spotlight after Strategy co-founder Michael Saylor weighed in on the potential risks posed by quantum computing. His remarks quickly triggered debate across the crypto community, dividing opinions between those who see the threat as distant and others who believe Bitcoin developers are underestimating the timeline.
Saylor: Quantum Risk Isn’t Imminent
Speaking in an interview with Galaxy Digital’s Head of Research, Alex Thorn, Saylor downplayed the immediacy of quantum computing risks to Bitcoin. He argued that when quantum computing becomes a genuine threat, there will be a global consensus to address it.
According to Saylor, governments, financial institutions, and major technology companies such as Apple will all implement quantum-resistant cryptographic standards. Bitcoin, he believes, would follow suit by upgrading its network to adopt similar protections.
Saylor expressed confidence that a technical solution will emerge once quantum computing reaches a level that threatens global digital infrastructure. In his view, Bitcoin will not be left behind in that transition.
A Quantum Upgrade Could Benefit Bitcoin
Interestingly, Saylor suggested that a quantum breakthrough could ultimately become a net positive for Bitcoin. He noted that such a transition might lead to a supply shock if some coins become frozen due to holders failing to migrate to quantum-resistant addresses.
This scenario, he argued, could reduce circulating supply and potentially drive Bitcoin’s price higher — turning a technological challenge into an unexpected catalyst.
Bitcoin OGs Dismiss Quantum Fears as ‘FUD’
Not everyone agrees that quantum computing poses a near-term risk. Bitcoin veteran Adam Back dismissed concerns as fear, uncertainty, and doubt (FUD).
In a post on X, Back stated that quantum risks are effectively zero in the short term, estimating that any real threat is at least a decade away. He described quantum computing as being “ridiculously early,” citing unresolved research and development challenges across multiple areas of applied physics.
i think the risks are short term NIL. this whole thing is decades away, it's ridiculously early and they have massive R&D issues in every vector of the required applied physics research to even find out if it's possible at useful scale. but it's ok to be "quantum ready" and
— Adam Back (@adam3us) December 18, 2025
According to Back, the idea that quantum machines could break Bitcoin’s cryptography anytime soon is vastly overstated.
Nic Carter Warns Developers Are Underestimating the Threat
Venture capitalist Nic Carter takes a more cautious stance. In an X article titled “Bitcoin Developers Are Sleepwalking Towards Collapse,” Carter argued that the risk may be more imminent than many Bitcoin developers acknowledge.
While admitting that the odds of a quantum breakthrough in the next decade are impossible to quantify, Carter pointed out that 2025 has been the most active year in quantum computing research to date.
He warned that a sufficiently powerful, cryptographically relevant quantum computer could compromise Bitcoin by extracting private keys from exposed public keys. Under this scenario, Carter estimates that around 6.7 million BTC could be vulnerable.
Such a machine could also exploit the brief window between a transaction being broadcast and its confirmation in a block, allowing attackers to redirect funds.
The Challenges of a Post-Quantum Bitcoin Upgrade
Carter acknowledged that Bitcoin could theoretically implement a soft fork to adopt post-quantum (PQ) signature schemes. However, he highlighted several major obstacles.
These include abandoning Bitcoin’s original cryptographic foundations, the long timeline required to reach community consensus, and the logistical challenge of migrating vulnerable addresses to new quantum-resistant formats.
He also raised the sensitive issue of Satoshi Nakamoto’s BTC holdings, which are among the vulnerable addresses. If those coins cannot be migrated, the community would need to decide whether they should remain frozen indefinitely.
Leaving such coins unprotected, Carter warned, could allow a quantum-capable attacker to become the largest Bitcoin holder overnight.
Despite uncertainties around timing, Carter believes preparation must begin now — even if the so-called “quantum reckoning” remains a decade away.
