A compliant platform warns: 33% of Bitcoin faces quantum computing threats, industry calls for accelerated security upgrades

Source: TokenPost Original Title: Coinbase: “33% of Bitcoin Vulnerable to Quantum Computers… Urgent Security Transition Needed” Original Link:

Bitcoin Faces Quantum Computing Threat

A compliance platform recently released a report indicating that approximately 33% of Bitcoin may be at risk of quantum computer attacks. While this remains hypothetical, the industry has begun calling for comprehensive security architecture transitions.

The platform’s global investment research head stated in a recent report: “Bitcoin is entering the quantum computing era. As this technology develops rapidly, a new security phase may be initiated. Although the threat is not immediate, preparations should be made in advance.”

Potential Threat ‘Q-Day’: 6.5 Million Bitcoins at Risk

The controversy centers around the so-called ‘Q-Day,’ the date when quantum computers capable of breaking public key cryptography are expected to appear. Currently, Bitcoin uses elliptic curve cryptography(ECC) for key generation and wallet protection, and SHA-256 hashing algorithm in mining. This structure is secure in classical computing environments, but quantum computers can quickly decrypt these cryptographic schemes using Shor’s algorithm and Grover’s algorithm.

Analysis indicates that, based on block height 900,000, 65 million(approximately 32.7%) of all Bitcoin are stored in address types more vulnerable to quantum attacks. These include early Pay-to-Public-Key(P2PK) addresses, multi-signature scripts, and certain Taproot structures, whose public keys are exposed on the blockchain. Most of these are considered to be Bitcoin mined during the ‘Satoshi era.’

Additionally, all Bitcoin transactions briefly expose the public key when sent. If high-performance quantum computers exist, this moment could also be targeted.

Major Institutions Increasing Awareness of Quantum Threats

Institutional vigilance regarding this issue is also increasing. An asset management firm explicitly acknowledged the risks of quantum computers in its revised Bitcoin ETF investment prospectus in 2025. The US and European governments recommend applying post-quantum cryptography to critical infrastructure before 2035(Post-Quantum Cryptography).

These measures indicate that large institutions and national security levels are already in the ‘preparation stage.’ This is not just a theoretical risk but a substantive issue requiring action.

Divergent Views Between Developers and Investors

However, within the industry, opinions differ on the realism of the threat.

The CEO of a blockchain company stated: “There’s no need to exaggerate the current quantum threat,” and the community is quietly advancing security enhancement development. Meanwhile, risk investors argue that “the atmosphere of avoiding threats is itself problematic,” citing government budget allocations and investments in quantum technology companies as evidence.

The founder of an investment firm warned: “Without security upgrades, quantum threats could materialize within the next 10 years,” while another industry expert believes this opportunity could make Bitcoin stronger. He said: “Active coins can shift to quantum-resistant technologies, and idle coins can reduce market circulation, increasing scarcity.”

Possibility of Hard Fork… Preparing for Bitcoin’s Quantum Era

Experts have noted that the quantum-resistant signature algorithms selected by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology(NIST) will be standardized in 2024. Part of the Bitcoin community has already begun discussing adopting this technology.

The challenge lies in implementation. According to Bitcoin’s structure, adopting such cryptographic systems requires a hard fork(comprehensive network upgrade). Due to its decentralized nature and the existence of millions of inactive wallets, this is difficult to execute and requires broad community consensus.

Additionally, some researchers have raised the possibility that quantum agencies may have already pre-collected blockchain data. When quantum devices become practical, large-scale attacks could be based on stored data.

Key Points

• Bitcoin is not yet directly exposed to quantum computers, but over 30% of its supply is ‘theoretically’ at risk
• It is recommended to check whether personal wallet addresses are in quantum-vulnerable P2PK format
• When discussions about applying post-quantum cryptography in Bitcoin development begin, preparations for hard forks and price volatility should be made
• Developing a substantive response roadmap within the next 10 years is crucial