Quantum Danger Imminent? Solana Co-Founder Says Bitcoin Must Upgrade Before 2030
Bitcoin may be safe today, but some in the cryptocurrency world believe the future will bring other risks. Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko has sounded a warning about Bitcoin's long-term survival, warning that Bitcoin must adopt technological upgrades within the next five years to counter the potential risks of quantum computing.
The question now is whether Bitcoin should prepare early or wait until the threat becomes a reality.
Yakovenko's emergency warning
In a recent statement, Yakovenko argued that Bitcoin's proof-of-work design, despite being tested for more than a decade, could still be disrupted if quantum computing advances to the point where traditional cryptography becomes vulnerable.
According to him, there is a “50/50” chance that powerful quantum machines could soon break the cryptographic signatures protecting Bitcoin wallets.
If that happens, an attacker could fake transactions and steal funds, posing an existential threat to the entire Bitcoin network.
Call for upgrading Bitcoin's core design
Bitcoin's rigid approach to protocol updates exposes the network to long-term risks, Yakovenko said. Unlike newer blockchains that often experiment with different consensus models and encryption methods, Bitcoin has largely remained the same, making major changes to maintain its decentralized nature.
To address this risk, Yakovenko proposes switching to quantum-resistant signature schemes. However, he admits that this transition will not be simple, as it requires major changes and global coordination within the Bitcoin ecosystem.
Debating Bitcoin's Quantum Threat
Yakovenko’s warning didn’t convince everyone. Blockstream CEO Adam Back believes quantum threats are still far off and Bitcoin preparation will be simple when needed.
Bitcoin Core contributor Peter Todd also dismissed this concern, noting that such powerful quantum computers do not exist yet.
Similarly, developer Luke Dashjr argues that Bitcoin should focus on current issues like spam and governance rather than hypothetical risks.
While experts estimate it could be years or decades before quantum machines pose a real threat, many in the blockchain space believe it is important to prepare early. Several altcoins are already testing quantum-resistant cryptography to secure their future.