Bitcoin quantum computing warning: BTC upgrade against threat might take 10 years - CoinDesk

TechShareShare this articleCopy linkX iconX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailBitcoin isn’t under quantum threat yet, but upgrade could take 5-10 yearsEven if quantum machines capable of breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography are decades away, the work required to update software, infrastructure and user behavior would be measured in years, not months.By Shaurya Malwa|Edited by Stephen AlpherUpdated Dec 23, 2025, 3:36 p.m. Published Dec 22, 2025, 12:18 p.m. What to know: Bitcoin developers are preparing for the potential threat of quantum computing, which could take 5 to 10 years to address if necessary.The shift in focus is from the immediacy of quantum threats to the logistics of updating Bitcoin's infrastructure and user behavior.Bitcoin's conservative governance model complicates large-scale transitions, requiring significant coordination for any move toward quantum-resistant cryptography.Some Bitcoin developers are no longer arguing about whether quantum computing will break the network, but letting onlookers know how long it would take to prepare if it ever did.That shift was crystallized this week by longtime Bitcoin developer Jameson Lopp, who said that while quantum computers are unlikely to threaten Bitcoin anytime soon, any meaningful defensive changes could take much longer than many assume.STORY CONTINUES BELOWDon't miss another story.Subscribe to the The Protocol Newsletter today. See all newslettersSign me upBy signing up, you will receive emails about CoinDesk products and you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy."No, quantum computers won't break Bitcoin in the near future," Lopp posted. "We'll keep observing their evolution. Yet, making thoughtful changes to the protocol (and an unprecedented migration of funds) could easily take 5 to 10 years."Loading...The discussion matters because Bitcoin’s value increasingly depends on long-term confidence. As more institutional capital treats bitcoin as a multi-year holding, even distant technical risks can influence allocation decisions and shape how markets price uncertainty, as CoinDesk reported on Saturday.Lopp’s point was less about whether Bitcoin survives quantum computing, and more about how much time the network would actually need if it ever had to respond.His comment reframed the debate away from immediacy and toward logistics. Even if quantum machines capable of breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography are decades away, the work required to update software, infrastructure and user behavior would be measured in years, not months.And that’s a significant amount of time for quantum computing research, funding and hardware capabilities to advance in ways that could compress timelines faster than expected.Bitcoin relies on elliptic curve cryptography to secure wallets and authorize transactions. In theory, sufficiently powerful quantum computers running Shor’s algorithm could derive private keys from exposed public keys, putting older address formats at risk.The network would not collapse overnight, but coins that have already revealed their public keys could become vulnerable.Bitcoin changes take timeBitcoin’s conservative governance model — one of its core strengths — also makes large-scale transitions difficult. Any move toward quantum-resistant cryptography would require new address formats, wallet upgrades, exchange support and, crucially, user action. Billions of dollars’ worth of bitcoin would need to be voluntarily moved.That reality helps explain why some investors remain uneasy. Large allocators do not need quantum computers to exist tomorrow to care about the issue today.For institutions holding bitcoin as a long-duration asset, the question is whether the network can coordinate major changes before they are forced.Proposals such as BIP-360 aim to address that gap by introducing quantum-resistant address types and allowing a gradual transition over time. But no timeline has been set, and no migration has begun.For now, quantum risk remains theoretical. Lopp’s point is not that Bitcoin is in danger — it is that preparation, if it ever becomes necessary, will take longer than the debate itself.Bitcoin Newsquantum computingMore For YouState of the Blockchain 2025By CoinDesk ResearchDec 19, 2025Commissioned byInput Output GroupL1 tokens broadly underperformed in 2025 despite a backdrop of regulatory and institutional wins. Explore the key trends defining ten major blockchains below.What to know: 2025 was defined by a stark divergence: structural progress collided with stagnant price action. Institutional milestones were reached and TVL increased across most major ecosystems, yet the majority of large-cap Layer-1 tokens finished the year with negative or flat returns.This report analyzes the structural decoupling between network usage and token performance. We examine 10 major blockchain ecosystems, exploring protocol versus application revenues, key ecosystem narratives, mechanics driving institutional adoption, and the trends to watch as we head into 2026.View Full ReportMore For You‘Most important tokenholder rights debate’: Aave faces identity crisisBy Margaux Nijkerk, Shaurya Malwa|Edited by Nikhilesh De14 hours agoThe Aave community has become sharply divided over control of the protocol’s brand and related assets, intensifying an ongoing dispute over the relationship between the DAO and Aave Labs. What to know: Aave's community members and participants have become sharply divided in a debate over control of the protocol’s brand and related assets, intensifying an ongoing dispute over the relationship between the DAO and Aave Labs.The debate has drawn outsized attention because it cuts to a central question facing many of crypto’s largest protocols: the tension between decentralized governance and the centralized teams that often drive execution. Read full storyLatest Crypto News Gold knocks on a door that's been shut for 50 years as bitcoin tests a defining support1 minute agoSling Money receives approval to offer crypto services in UK as stablecoin payments gain popularity1 hour agoPolymarket points to third-party login tool after users report account breaches1 hour agoBitcoin nears breakout from the $85,000-$90,000 range as options expiry looms2 hours agoBitcoin continues to slip against gold, testing the 'safe haven' trade5 hours agoETH, SOL, ADA slump as bitcoin weakness lingers despite record stocks jump5 hours agoTop StoriesBitcoin continues to slip against gold, testing the 'safe haven' trade5 hours ago‘Most important tokenholder rights debate’: Aave faces identity crisis14 hours agoBitcoin nears breakout from the $85,000-$90,000 range as options expiry looms2 hours agoETH, SOL, ADA slump as bitcoin weakness lingers despite record stocks jump5 hours agoJPMorgan’s institutional crypto push could boost rivals like Coinbase, Bullish, analysts say17 hours agoPolymarket points to third-party login tool after users report account breaches1 hour ago