The long-running discussion about whether quantum computers could one day crack Bitcoin’s cryptography has moved beyond developer forums and into investor conversations. What was once a theoretical risk is now being discussed as a possible market factor, with some analysts arguing it could affect Bitcoin’s long-term price if preparations aren’t made in time.
That shift in tone is why the issue suddenly feels urgent. Investors, developers, and companies are now weighing not just if quantum computing becomes a threat, but how prepared the Bitcoin network will be when that day arrives.
Why Quantum Risk Is Being Taken Seriously by Markets
The renewed attention was sparked in part by warnings from Charles Edwards, founder of crypto asset manager Capriole. He suggested that if Bitcoin is not made “quantum-ready,” its price could fall below $50,000 by 2028. While such projections are debated, they have pushed the topic into mainstream market discussions.
Many core developers and long-time Bitcoin technologists are pushing back on panic. Jameson Lopp, a Bitcoin Core developer and Casa co-founder, has said current quantum computers are nowhere near powerful enough to break Bitcoin’s cryptography. However, he also warned that upgrading Bitcoin and moving users to post-quantum signature schemes would be slow and complex, potentially taking five to ten years. Adam Back, CEO of Blockstream, shares a similar view: the threat isn’t imminent, but it’s worth monitoring.
Others in the investment world disagree, arguing that even a distant but credible threat should be priced into markets today. This difference in perspective explains why the debate feels louder now than ever before. For investors, confidence matters as much as technical reality.
Prominent Bitcoin advocates have also weighed in. Pierre Rochard has argued that a real quantum attack would likely require state-level resources and could be countered with well-funded upgrades. Samson Mow has mocked fears by pointing out how limited today’s machines still are, while Andreas M. Antonopoulos has reminded the community that Bitcoin’s protocol has been upgraded before and can be upgraded again if needed.
Why Upgrading Bitcoin for Quantum Resistance Is So Hard
Even if everyone agrees that Bitcoin should eventually adopt quantum-resistant cryptography, actually doing so is far from simple. Bitcoin is not a centralized system that can roll out updates overnight. It relies on a global network of node operators, miners, wallet providers, exchanges, and individual users who all need to coordinate.
One major challenge is that millions of Bitcoin holders don’t actively manage their wallets or rotate keys. Any migration to new signature schemes would require tools, education, and long timelines to avoid users losing access to funds. The wide variety of wallet software in use adds another layer of complexity.
This is where proposals like BIP 360 come in. BIP 360 suggests adding a quantum-resistant signature option to Bitcoin. Supporters see it as a proactive step, while critics warn that enforcing such changes too aggressively could cause conflict and fragmentation within the network. Reaching consensus on enforcement could take years.
What’s driving the conversation now is the gap between technical confidence and market psychology. Developers argue there is time to plan carefully. Investors worry that without visible progress, uncertainty alone could hurt price and adoption.
As a result, more voices are calling for concrete action: funding research into post-quantum cryptography, testing new signature schemes, and building migration tools that wallets and exchanges can use if the threat becomes real. Whether quantum computers pose a danger in five years or fifty, the discussion has already changed. Bitcoin now has to balance careful, long-term engineering with the market’s demand for reassurance today.
