Bitcoin's quantum computing threat is overstated, says analyst

Alex Thorn, head of research at on-chain analytics firm Galaxy Digital, has analyzed the threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin, concluding that while the risk is real, market concerns are excessive. He acknowledged the theoretical risk that a sufficiently advanced quantum computer could derive private keys from exposed public keys to steal funds. However, Thorn noted that developers are already preparing countermeasures, including the introduction of post-quantum addresses and phased upgrades. He argued that the entities capable of triggering a "Q-Day"—the point at which current encryption could be broken—are currently limited to a very small number of specialized research groups. Thorn assessed the quantum risk as a long-term technological challenge that is solvable through Bitcoin's open development model, rather than an immediate existential crisis that should deter investment.