CZ: Cryptocurrencies can make it through the quantum era, but Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin faces risks

Gate News update: CZ responded to the potential threats quantum computing poses to cryptocurrencies in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stressing that there’s no need to panic overall. He pointed out that the vast majority of cryptocurrencies only need to upgrade to post-quantum algorithms to remain secure, but coordinated upgrades across decentralized networks could trigger disputes over algorithm selection—possibly even leading to forks in some blockchains.

CZ also warned that certain projects that have already stopped being maintained may be unable to complete upgrades; such projects could fade away on their own in the post-quantum era. For users, he said they need to move their cryptocurrencies to new post-quantum wallets to protect asset safety. At the same time, he noted that new code in the short term may introduce other vulnerabilities or security issues, so the migration process must be handled carefully.

One core focus is Satoshi Nakamoto’s Bitcoin. Estimates suggest Satoshi holds more than 1 million BTC, and these funds have not been moved for decades. CZ warned that if quantum computing capabilities mature while these Bitcoins remain dormant, the community may need to consider locking or destroying these assets to prevent future attacks. Because it’s impossible to fully verify the addresses of early holders, this issue remains challenging.

CZ emphasized that, overall, encryption is still easier than cracking, and cryptocurrencies in the post-quantum era will still exist. His remarks came right after the release of Google’s Quantum AI white paper, which shows that the number of quantum bits required to break elliptic-curve cryptography is far lower than previously estimated. In addition, research from Caltech and Oratomic indicates that the Shor algorithm can execute an attack at around the scale of 10,000 quantum bits, further drawing attention in the cryptography community.

Market analysts believe this discussion highlights the urgency for crypto assets to undergo technical upgrades and strengthen security defenses, while also providing a reference framework for the long-term survival of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other major cryptocurrencies in the post-quantum era.