Quantum panic over Bitcoin (BTC) is premature, but the clock is still ticking

Bitcoin won’t be broken by quantum computers anytime soon, but preparing the network for risk could take five to 10 years.

Quantum computing is back in Bitcoin conversations and has raised new concerns about its long-term impact on blockchain security.

The co-founder and Chief Security Officer of self-management solution Casa, Jameson Lopp, said Bitcoin is safe for quantum computers for now.

Quantum panic?

In the latest tweet, Lopp says said that quantum computers do not pose a threat to Bitcoin in the near term, in an effort to address growing concerns around such risks. He noted that while researchers will continue to monitor advances in quantum computing, current technology is still far from being able to break Bitcoin’s cryptography.

Despite this, preparing Bitcoin for a post-quantum future would not be quick or easy. According to Lopp, implementing careful protocol changes and coordinating a large-scale migration of funds across the network could take five to 10 years.

“We must hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.”

Grayscale also reiterated a similar sentiment in its recent report last week, saying the risks of quantum computing are unlikely to have a meaningful impact on crypto markets in 2026, despite recurring concerns about the technology’s long-term implications.

While sufficiently powerful quantum computers could theoretically break current cryptographic systems, the asset manager estimates that such capabilities will last well beyond the short term, likely beyond 2030. Grayscale expects research into post-quantum cryptography and network readiness to continue and possibly accelerate, but added that from an investment perspective, these developments are unlikely to impact digital asset valuations or market performance in 2026.

Risks are underestimated

However, Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned that quantum computing poses a more immediate risk to blockchain cryptography than often assumed, while assigning a 20% chance that quantum computers can break current cryptographic systems before 2030.

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Charles Edwards, founder of the quantitative Bitcoin fund Capriole, too expressed concerns that dismissing the risks of quantum computing could have serious consequences for Bitcoin. In a recent post, Edwards said it may take a major bear market to force the community to take the threat seriously and push for network upgrades.

He stated that if Bitcoin fails to implement a quantum-resistant solution by 2028, prices could fall below $50,000 and continue to fall until the problem is resolved. The founder added that urgent action is needed as soon as next year, and that failure to act could trigger the largest bear market in Bitcoin history, which could ultimately overshadow past crises like FTX.