The core risk to Bitcoin is signature security: if quantum computers break digital signatures, exposed public keys could let attackers steal coins, making long-range threats from legacy outputs the primary concern rather than quantum mining today.

The debate in the industry centers on urgency versus timelines, with some leaders warning against panic and others calling for faster preparation for a quantum-secure future.

BlackRock explicitly lists quantum computing as a risk in its iShares Bitcoin Trust amendments, signaling supermajor institutions acknowledge quantum threats beyond theoretical concerns.

A Quantum Vulnerable Bitcoin Tracker Bot on X actively monitors for movements into vulnerable addresses, highlighting real-time concern over exposed keys.

Coinbase’s research head warns that roughly one-third of circulating BTC could be vulnerable due to exposed public keys in older wallet designs.

As of block data up to 900,000, about 6.51 million BTC (roughly 32.7% of supply) sit in addresses vulnerable to long-range quantum attacks because some outputs reveal public keys.

In addition to exposure, a substantial portion of the supply is at risk because many wallets reveal keys when spent, creating a broader vulnerability landscape.

Bitcoin developers are discussing quantum-resistant signature schemes; NIST finalized post-quantum standards in 2024, but adopting them would require broad consensus and possible a hard fork amid decentralization.

Industry voices vary on timelines—from five to ten years and beyond—while some see potential resilience options that could even strengthen Bitcoin against quantum threats.

Approximately 7 million BTC are identified as vulnerable to quantum attacks, underscoring a broader potential impact beyond the commonly cited figures.

Regulators and big institutions are taking note, with BlackRock flagging quantum risk in May 2025 disclosures and officials urging critical infrastructure to plan a transition to post-quantum cryptography by 2035.

Duong’s analysis is framed as the first installment in a series examining quantum threats to cryptocurrency, signaling ongoing coverage and future developments.