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The real concern centers on Shor’s algorithm, which could theoretically crack the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) securing Bitcoin wallets. In a worst-case scenario, a powerful quantum computer could reverse-engineer a private key from a public key in minutes, allowing funds to be stolen. However, this would require around 1.9 billion stable logical qubits. Today’s most advanced machines have only a few thousand noisy physical qubits — far from the scale needed. Most experts believe a cryptographically relevant quantum computer is at least a decade away, likely longer.
Meanwhile, Bitcoin’s classical security is stronger than ever. As of February 2026, the network’s hash rate exceeds 1 Zettahash per second, backed by roughly 184 TWh of annual energy use and over 25,000 globally distributed nodes. There is no single point of failure, making attacks economically and physically unrealistic with current technology.
A more plausible near-term risk is “harvest now, decrypt later,” where attackers collect data today to crack in the future. Still, most Bitcoin addresses use hashed public keys, meaning the public key is only briefly exposed during transactions. Only 8–25% of BTC — including wallets attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto — sits in older formats with permanently visible public keys.
Developers are already preparing quantum-resistant upgrades, likely via a soft fork. The biggest debate isn’t technical — it’s how to handle long-dormant, exposed coins.
Bottom line: quantum computing is a future engineering challenge, not an immediate existential threat.
Comments:
I think BTC's oversold at this moment.
A rally is overdue.
It's long-term future though is still up for debate. Will need to see upcoming developments.
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