Be careful what you choose to believe about Quantum

[serjent05]

What @OP states is true.  Quantum threats can be solved even before they proliferate.  I believe that the development to resist the quantum attack is already on the move, and the people behind the project are very serious about it.  It was said that the anti QC research is slowly being deployed; as a matter of fact, the year 2026 is labeled as "Year of Quantum Security".

I have my homework to do on Bitcoin's quantum-resistance, but, from what I've heard, it might not be as easy fix as some paint it to be.

Indeed, it would not be easy, we might be expecting a Bitcoin hard fork on this one.

[Felicity_Tide]

Trust me, quantum computers won't just come and wipe away all the efforts that has been made so far,

As far as Bitcoin is concerned, I think we've come really far, and so much is already at stake to just lose to a technology that we aren't even certain of its currently development stage. Yeah, I have done a couple of research and also watched a few videos on QC, but I recently lost interest the moment I noticed that everything is being traced back to how it can be used to compromise Bitcoin.

I'm always forced to ask if there are no other areas where it can be practically applied, or are QCs primarily designed to function Bitcoin's kryptonite?. The truth is, the whole matter still boils down to the type of narrative that the majority wants to hear... Bitcoin(cryptography) - QC, and nothing else. Of course, there is a need to start making preparations because it is already identified as a possible threat, but the constant panic from non-developers is clearly not going to change anything, and I doubt if the main developers are even this tensed up.

[ThemePen]

Tweet by global leader that scares may cause panic but even modern quantum computers such as IBM Heron have 156 qubits, and this is nowhere close to 500,000 qubits required to break security of Bitcoin. More to point, network is already in process of developing its Quantum Shield, through BIP-360, new type of address that hides your public keys in quantum attack, which proves that Bitcoin is changing and not falling. Big firms such as BlackRock would not spend billions of dollars in ETFs by thinking network is being put at risk and most of them are already updating their vaults to Quantum proof security to remain safe. Imaginary threat is not, however, computer in lab, but other fear that causes you to sell today. Those who act on social media hype are just giving extra money to those who are holding in face of real technical fixes being done openly.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

snip
I'm always forced to ask if there are no other areas where it can be practically applied, or are QCs primarily designed to function Bitcoin's kryptonite?. The truth is, the whole matter still boils down to the type of narrative that the majority wants to hear... Bitcoin(cryptography) - QC, and nothing else.
Snip

The main areas where QC promise to have tremendous impact are things like chemistry, geology, drug research, weather prediction, etc. Thing is, articles about those does not grab main stream or social media attention like crypto and especially BTC does.

[TastyChillySauce00]

It definitely is the perfect news for redistribution, the news about quantum computing has been going up for many times in various occasion and nothing really happened. Last time it was also google publishing news about the breakthrough in QC that could destroy bitcoin yet bitcoin is still healthy and well in this Q2 of 2026.
This news getting resurfaced again seems like a systemic thing to trigger a deeper bearish sentiment though it amounts to nothing.

[Somegory]

:://::::

All it will take is just a Tweet.
:://::

I think that’s the essence of Bitcoin: a community that supports it, understands its position, and knows who to trust. Being here (BTT) isn’t just about posting or reading. The existence of this forum should play a key role in situations like the one you mentioned.

While it’s true that this is a reality affecting all cryptographic systems (not just Bitcoin) it’s reassuring to know that it’s being discussed, that there’s a community of developers working on BIPs and whatever else is needed to secure Bitcoin’s future. They are prepared, not scared.

From what I understand, as a user (not an expert), there is an ongoing development process. There is still time; but it’s becoming increasingly precarious to find... time.  

I understand, this topic is for people who are on here with two minds, they dribble around without knowing which side to trust more, this is  the position that most newbies find themselves in this days.

I don't want people like them to let go of their bags if someday a popular figure decide to stair up the market a bit using quantum threat on investors, it's powerful enough to cause panic.

It's a reminder that they should be prepared for the possibility, that even if it comes it doesn't mean it's true or it's the end

[pawel7777]

I have my homework to do on Bitcoin's quantum-resistance, but, from what I've heard, it might not be as easy fix as some paint it to be.

Indeed, it would not be easy, we might be expecting a Bitcoin hard fork on this one.

Most likely.
But hopefully that kind of hard fork would gain support from the vast majority of the Bitcoin community (both investors/users and crypto-businesses) and there will be no contention/controversy that we have seen with the bigger block hard fork proposal back in the day.
That's assuming that such hard fork will not affect the usability of the current mining equipment/nodes. If the fork could render all the current hardware obsolete, almost definitely there would be some pushback to the idea.

[DPHOR]

Quantum could be a threat to Bitcoin but so far, I don't just think that Bitcoin developer would sit back and allows something they just built that yesterday to come destroy all the efforts and labor they have put into Bitcoin just like that, things doesn't work that way because there are people who put heavily on Bitcoin and this little threat can't just come out and end up everything people has labored on.

[red4slash]

The existence of a quantum computer which has always been a fairly busy rumor since the last few years is sure to have an impact, especially for psychology in our minds as bitcoin holders but this is not what should be used as a big enough fear actually because until now there has been no proof of this and until now it is only still speculative about indications.

Being on guard for the worst possibilities about quantum computers is very good but that does not mean we have to believe the news that is very wild at this time because it is only one of the many possibilities that can happen.
It is certain that the existence of this quantum computer must be watched out for but making this a source of fear and we believe in all forms of exaggerated news is actually quite ridiculous.

Ever since I started hearing about quantum computers and even did a little research on the topic, I didn't find any risk it poses to Bitcoin that hasn't already happened, because I believe it would only make up for volatility in the market because of the fud and FOMO it would create and am sure that it would be more like a tool just as we have Ai bots integrated into the Blockchain systems to facilitate efficiency or delivery and credibility.

We also should not look down on quantum computers because being on guard is important but on the one hand we also don't need to feel that this quantum computer is the end of bitcoin because things like this may not be proven at any time because the claims that are happening now are only as initial hypotheses and fud that are raised to make quantum computers known as well as make many beginners in bitcoin feel afraid and release their bitcoin holdings.

Technology will be more sophisticated but the developers in bitcoin will also certainly not be silent to try to anticipate this because after all, even though later many parties will boast of their quantum computers but we also as people who are in bitcoin will still boast the ability of bitcoin, especially in terms of security that is owned.

[Faisal2202]

I can't agree more with you, because dumping your coins out of fear is stupidity. The reality is, the old bitcoin addresses were vulnerable but even if the new will also be at vulnerability, developers will find a solution by then.

If a president of a powerful and influential country will ever make that statement then we will see the bugger sell off. Understanding quantum computers is not necessary, just don't believe in titles alone, read the full stories and not only from one source, or don't ask ai to tell them what the report is saying because with AI. You can miss out on a lot of information that can be useful.

[suzanne5223]

OP, i have to agree with you about people not believing in everything they hear or read about quantum computers due to a lot of misinformation going on. However, the BTC devs are not helping the situation either because they don't come out to make a timely update with information about what quantum will affect and the way out for people who are not tech savvy, so people have to rely on the information they are seeing.

Second, people need to understand that BTC is not made for the weak; people who don't have the understanding of the BTC concept, those who rely on influencer opinion/manipulation, and those who cant take the time to research/read through a genuine source.

[Ambatman]

I'm always forced to ask if there are no other areas where it can be practically applied, or are QCs primarily designed to function Bitcoin's kryptonite?. The truth is, the whole matter still boils down to the type of narrative that the majority wants to hear... Bitcoin(cryptography) - QC, and nothing else. Of course, there is a need to start making preparations because it is already identified as a possible threat, but the constant panic from non-developers is clearly not going to change anything, and I doubt if the main developers are even this tensed up.

Bitcoin is usually the focus because of its immutability and how much it's security has been praised
So it would make more headlines than stating that Quantum computers could help improve medicines
Or reduce the need for multiple trial and errors.

[Hamza2424]

Understand that quantum threat can be fixed, there are too many things relying on Bitcoin today, ETFs wouldn't have gotten approved if quantum threat is very high.

Bro the FUD angle is honestly the sharpest point right now, because one tweet from Trump would fuck the whole market haha. Smart money buys the dip though but weak hands will always exit and that's how panic selling starts but right now in my opinion smart investors are more, not the smart money.

Because smart investors know they need to buy, and selling is not an option even in the FUD, because FUD is meant to create panic selling, so they should not be doing what everyone else would be doing.

Although the threat is real, I am not saying it is not, but the threat is not near, it is at least decades away considering the logical qubits needed to hack Bitcoin. The ETF point kills the narrative completely, as BlackRock and Fidelity etc have entire risk departments, they would not push billions through regulatory approval if the risk was a credible near term threat.

[Odogwu-Blockchain]

I don't find it easy for any quantum system to destroy a whole Bitcoin ecosystem just like that, I don't have much knowledge about quantum programming though, but I could only believe that those that fear it makes it looks like it can ruin Bitcoin. Already, I know Bitcoin is running on a strong blockchain protocol for any programming language to destroy it so easy. Nah, I don't have such belief

[PrivacyG]

I don't find it easy for any quantum system to destroy a whole Bitcoin ecosystem just like that, I don't have much knowledge about quantum programming though, but I could only believe that those that fear it makes it looks like it can ruin Bitcoin. Already, I know Bitcoin is running on a strong blockchain protocol for any programming language to destroy it so easy. Nah, I don't have such belief

But then you are exactly like the people OP described.  The people who sold their Bitcoin due to 'the Quantum threat' do not have any idea what that threat even is or if there actually is one.  They simply sold because it is easier to push a button and give up than spend 5 minutes reading about the subject.  You are doing the same thing but instead of selling you are holding out of belief with out even knowing whether it is actually a threat.

[X-ray]

What I don't like about all these quantum computer news especially on their research is that they keep leaving out the important detail.

From the latest paper published by google they are said to finally found a way that can break ECDSA 20x more efficient than before, but it needs 500 000 qubits, right now google willow's quantum computer only capable of 105 qubits.

They leave out this detail purposefully to create a shock, potentially to cause chaos in the community while in reality we're far from that.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

Yep.
As I said earlier,

Something folks need to realize is that in Academia and Corporate research there is a saying: "Publish or become irrelevant".

That translates to; find a relevant topic (preferably one that will catch attention), do some often biased research that you can extrapolate from and write about it. If you don't publish you may lose funding. The Google paper is about them improving algorithms to reduce the number of qubits needed for breaking current encryptions and nothing more. In the case of the Google paper and other similar ones about QC they carry on about What Could Be but gloss over the hurdles that have yet to be solved before their predictions can happen.

Edit: I suppose it should be explained that most white papers are purposely written with a sharp focus. They cover one specific thing. In the case of QC’s it's error correction & noise reduction techniques, algorithms, I/O operations, etc. It is usually NOT their aim to fully cover all the more general aspects of something. As far as research goes, the fact that QC's large enough to be functionally relevant do not exist yet is beside the point.

The problem is that mainstream and social media sources don't get that point and treat every press release as if it can be done NOW which of course give the impression of these 'threats' as being an immediate one.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

Hmmm, came across an excellent deep dive into the question of 'Do quantum computers exist today'.
The short and very broad answer is yes. That was a surprise to me. BUT, while a few are in use solving a limited set of usually very specific applications they nonetheless have very limited capabilities. Most as said before are mainly testbeds. The article starts by covering the question of just what IS a QC which is a surprisingly grey area...

 https://www.spinquanta.com/news-detail/do-quantum-computer-exist-today

[CryptoYar]

[...]

Officially world is now in NISQ time and quantum computers are fact and no longer far off dream.
Although different tools such as IBM, super cold loops, plain atoms of QuEra and fixers of DWave are actually working, they are in gray state as they stay noisy and have mistakes. These machines nowadays are used as test spots by most large companies to run their code rules in shadow run comparing quantum results to old super fast computers, as we have not yet reached Quantum Win of solving useful problem which cannot be solved by normal computer.

As I see it, we are at 1940s ENIAC step of quantum computing. Machines exist, are real and working but they are rough and huge, and need cooling to point of nearly zero to be wworking. Fact that they are not yet perfect does not mean that they are not here, they are just the first, glass bulb types of tech that will one day change way we copy real life.