In simple terms, this system hides private keys while allowing public keys to be visible on the blockchain. But quantum computers running advanced algorithms could theoretically reverse-engineer those keys.
If that happens, the consequences could stretch beyond crypto. Global banking networks, military encryption, SWIFT systems, and large portions of the internet also rely on similar cryptographic foundations.
6.89 Million $BTC Potentially at Risk
The concern gained further attention after Ki Young Ju warned that around 6.89 million $BTC may eventually be exposed to quantum threats.
His analysis suggests 1.91 million $BTC are stored in early P2PK addresses where public keys are permanently visible. Another 4.98 million $BTC may have exposed keys due to previous transactions.
Ju also noted that roughly 3.4 million $BTC have remained dormant for more than a decade, including about 1 million $BTC linked to Satoshi Nakamoto.
“Coins that appear perfectly safe today could become spendable by an attacker tomorrow,” he warned.
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Bitcoin and Ethereum: Strong but Slow to Upgrade
Both Bitcoin and Ethereum remain among the most secure networks in crypto. However, their decentralized governance makes upgrades slower and politically complex.
Switching to quantum-resistant cryptography would likely require major protocol changes and broad community agreement. Past debates, like Bitcoin’s block size war, show how difficult reaching consensus can be.
As Ju explained, the biggest bottleneck may not be technology but social consensus.
$XRP’s Adaptability Argument
According to Aljarrah, the $XRP Ledger was designed with greater protocol-level flexibility.
Unlike more rigid systems, its validator-based governance could allow cryptographic upgrades through consensus without halting the network.
That does not make $XRP quantum-proof today. But proponents argue its architecture may allow faster adaptation if quantum computing ever threatens existing encryption.
As the technology evolves, the future of blockchain security may ultimately depend on which networks can evolve quickly enough to meet the challenge.