Introduction
The race between quantum computing and Bitcoin security is one of the most fascinating technological challenges of our time. While Bitcoin has established itself as the most secure and decentralized financial network in the world, the arrival of quantum technology could disrupt this balance. At the same time, quantum breakthroughs could unlock millions of dormant coins, including an estimated 1 million believed to belong to Bitcoin’s mysterious creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.
Between 2.3 million and 3.7 million Bitcoin are considered permanently lost—roughly 11% to 18% of the fixed supply of 21 million. If advanced quantum computers succeed in reviving these lost coins, the impact on Bitcoin’s scarcity, price, and even its ethical foundations could be immense.
This article explores what quantum technology is, how it threatens Bitcoin’s cryptographic foundations, and whether it could one day bring lost Bitcoin back into circulation.
Key Takeaways
- Quantum computing is advancing rapidly, but experts like Michael Saylor and Adam Back believe Bitcoin is safe for now.
- The Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which secures Bitcoin wallets, is vulnerable to quantum attacks—especially through Shor’s algorithm.
- Between 2.3 million and 3.7 million BTC are permanently lost; quantum computers may eventually unlock some of these wallets.
- In May 2025, BlackRock explicitly warned in its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) filing that quantum computing poses a long-term security risk.
- Wallet security best practices, like avoiding address reuse and using Taproot or SegWit wallets, are crucial in the meantime.
- Ethical debates continue: Should recovered lost coins be burned, redistributed, or reintroduced to circulation?
What is Quantum Technology?
Quantum technology processes vast amounts of data and solves problems in seconds that would take classical computers decades. Its roots trace back to the early 1900s with the birth of quantum mechanics—the branch of physics that studies matter and energy at atomic and subatomic levels.
Modern applications include transistors, lasers, MRI machines, and now, quantum computers. These machines are said to be up to 300,000 times faster than today’s computers. Google’s latest quantum chip, Willow, dramatically reduces computation times, raising concerns that hackers could one day exploit it to undermine Bitcoin’s cryptography.
For Bitcoin, the most significant concern is the potential vulnerability of the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). Though experts like Adam Back and Michael Saylor argue that practical quantum threats are still decades away, the pace of development suggests the crypto industry cannot ignore the risk. Developers are already working on quantum-resistant upgrades to the Bitcoin network.
How Quantum Tech Could Break Bitcoin Wallets
Quantum computing directly threatens Bitcoin because it can undermine the cryptographic foundations that secure wallets.
Bitcoin wallets rely on asymmetric cryptography—specifically the ECDSA—which generates public-private key pairs. While the elliptic curve discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP) is impossible to solve with classical computers, quantum computers can crack it using Shor’s algorithm, first proposed by mathematician Peter Shor in 1994.
If a quantum computer can derive a private key from a public key, it could forge signatures and gain control of wallets. This vulnerability is most concerning for older Bitcoin addresses, especially those that expose public keys or reuse them.
Bitcoin and Quantum Security Risk
Quantum risks remain largely theoretical in 2025, but they could become real as hardware advances. Wallets tied to reused public keys or early pay-to-public-key (P2PK) formats are particularly vulnerable. Quantum attacks could reverse-engineer private keys from exposed public keys, threatening those funds.
Michael Saylor and other industry leaders argue that Bitcoin is safe for now, given the immaturity of quantum hardware. Still, best practices are crucial: users should minimize public key exposure and avoid reusing wallet addresses.
Can Quantum Computers Recover Lost Bitcoin?
Analysts estimate that between 2.3 million and 3.7 million BTC are permanently lost, representing 11% to 18% of the total supply. If quantum computers can unlock these dormant wallets, it could dramatically reshape Bitcoin’s economy.
For example, Satoshi Nakamoto’s coins—about 1 million BTC—are untouched and vulnerable if stored in early P2PK addresses. If such wallets were cracked and the coins reintroduced to circulation, it could cause massive market volatility.
In May 2025, BlackRock issued a warning in its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) filing, acknowledging that quantum computing could one day undermine Bitcoin’s long-term cryptographic defenses.
Ethical and Economic Implications
Recovering lost Bitcoin raises profound questions. If millions of dormant coins return to circulation, Bitcoin’s scarcity—its core value proposition—could be disrupted, affecting price stability.
Some experts, like Jameson Lopp, argue that recovered coins should be permanently destroyed (“burned”) to preserve scarcity. Others believe they could be redistributed, creating wealth balance in the ecosystem. Whatever the approach, the debate will intensify as quantum technology advances.
How to Protect Your Bitcoin
Until quantum-resistant wallets are widespread, Bitcoin users should follow strict security practices:
- Avoid address reuse. Each transaction should generate a new address. Many modern wallets do this automatically.
- Use Taproot and SegWit wallets. These improve security and reduce exposure to quantum vulnerabilities.
- Be vigilant against scams. Phishing, address poisoning, and zero-value scams remain the most common threats in crypto.
- Limit public key exposure. Approximately 25% of all Bitcoin is currently stored in addresses that expose public keys, making them more vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm.
Simple changes like rotating addresses and double-checking transaction details can significantly reduce risks.
Conclusion
For now, Bitcoin remains safe from quantum threats. Developers are already exploring solutions such as quantum-resistant wallets and protocols like QRAMP (Quantum-Resistant Asset Mapping Protocol), introduced in early 2025 by Agustin Cruz. QRAMP aims to protect Bitcoin while also allowing cross-chain compatibility without compromising custody or supply.
As researchers develop quantum-resistant cryptography, Bitcoin may not only withstand future quantum attacks but also emerge stronger, with improved scalability and security. Until then, users should stick to best practices while the Bitcoin ecosystem prepares for a future where quantum and crypto inevitably collide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Bitcoins are permanently lost?
Between 2.3 million and 3.7 million BTC are believed to be permanently lost, representing 11%–18% of the fixed supply of 21 million.
Can quantum computers really recover lost Bitcoin?
Yes, in theory. Quantum computers could exploit vulnerabilities in older Bitcoin addresses and recover coins by cracking private keys. However, practical applications are still years—possibly decades—away.
What is the biggest quantum threat to Bitcoin?
The main risk is Shor’s algorithm, which could derive private keys from public keys, allowing attackers to forge digital signatures and steal funds.
Is Bitcoin quantum-safe today?
Not yet. While current quantum computers are not powerful enough to break Bitcoin’s encryption, developers are actively researching quantum-resistant solutions to future-proof the network.
What steps can I take to secure my Bitcoin against quantum risks?
Avoid reusing wallet addresses, use Taproot or SegWit wallets, minimize public key exposure, and stay alert to scams such as address poisoning and phishing.