Bitcoin’s (BTC) community might be focused on the wrong obstacle in defending the network against quantum computers. This comes after Google experts released a paper warning users about the risks quantum computers pose to cryptocurrencies.
Will Lost Assets Re-enter the Bitcoin Market?
After weeks of heated debates about asset security following the quantum-computer frenzy, security teams have rolled out roadmaps for the future. Zach Pandl, Grayscale’s Head of Research, noted that Bitcoin has a lower risk than most assets.
This is hinged on the network’s proof-of-work model and its lack of smart contracts, unlike Ethereum. However, Bitcoin’s problem lies in how the community perceives future changes, especially their impact on dormant/lost coins.
Recent suggestions have divided the community on what to do with these assets. There are about 1.7 million BTC locked, including 1 million held by the pseudonymous founder, Satoshi Nakamoto. Several users also lost private keys to their assets, leaving them holding for many years.
Dormant assets are worth around $68 billion, igniting three major solutions for the community. They can maintain the status quo and leave the coins dormant as a first approach.
This method would not cause many disruptions and looks like the likely outcome should debates continue. Alternatively, they can burn the assets or slow spending from vulnerable addresses.
While all these are possible, experts warn that this is the right time to create a pathway pointing to the incoming dangers that lie ahead. For Pandl, Bitcoin’s problems are more social than technical, given the lower risks.
“Quantum risk differs across blockchains. Potential security vulnerabilities from advanced quantum computers depend on whether the blockchain uses a UTXO model (like Bitcoin) or an account model (like Ethereum), whether consensus derives from proof-of-work or proof-of-stake, whether there are smart contracts…”
At the moment, several networks have begun research around quantum cryptography. In Q1 2026, the Ethereum Foundation released its quantum roadmap, with notable input from industry analysts. Solana and XRP are also in experimental stages.
Google’s research showed that a quantum computer can crack the cryptography encryption of Bitcoin and other top assets with fewer qubits. In practical terms, the top crypto’s private key could be compromised in nine minutes, giving bad actors time to carry out an on-chain attack.
Recently, hackers have deployed new techniques to steal digital assets, leading to widespread losses.
