Bitcoin’s security may need an upgrade than many expect, according to Anatoly Yakovenko, co -founder of Solana.
Speak at all-in Summit 2025, Yakovenko Warned There is about 50/50 chance of a large quantum computation breakthrough within the next five years and urged the Bitcoin community to start switching to quantum resistant signatures now.
Quantum risk on a short timeline
According to reports, Yakovenko claimed that advances in quantum hardware – helped with rapid progress in AI – could reach a point where current cryptography used by Bitcoin Become vulnerable about 2030.
He recommended migrating away from Bitcoin’s existing signature schedule, ECDSA, against algorithms designed to resist Quantum attacks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KV_QE_YAGOQ
Bitcoin uses signatures that can be directed
Bitcoin transactions rely on Ecdsa (Elliptical Curve Digital Signantalgorithm) to prove ownership.
Based on technical warnings from many researchers, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer running Algorithms As Shor’s could in theory break these signatures and reveal private keys tied to addresses that have revealed their public keys.
It is the vulnerability that Yakovenko marked.
Experts offer mixed timelines
Other votes in Crypto set the timeline further out. Reports show that Adam Back of Block Stream believes that quantum machines that can threaten bitcoin are probably decades away – he has quoted a figure close to 20 years.
Some figures, such as Samson Mow, also suggest a longer window, while newer commentators warn the risk may come much earlier if breakthrough accelerates.
The split in opinions reflects real uncertainty about when – not if – quantity will mean for blockchains.
BTCUSD trading at $115,989 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView
What a fix would mean in practice
Moving bitcoin to quantum resistant signatures is possible, but it is not little work. Based on analysis of industry pieces, such a shift may require major protocol changes, widespread wallet updates and accurate launch plans to avoid breaking existing addresses or revealing users during the transition.
Some suggestions include one -time migration tools and new types of address, but no one is a simple flip of a switch.
In case of action and urgent
Based on reports, Yakovenko’s main point was urgent: start testing and building a migration path now, not later.
He noted Bitcoin’s forces but emphasized that preparation would protect users and preserve confidence if quantum functions arrive faster than many expect.
Industry coverage has already circulated its comments and has been renewed discussion on developer forums and research groups.
What happens next
At the moment, Bitcoin developers and node operators are a choice between steady, cautious research and faster, coordinated technology to prepare for several possible future.
Yakovenko’s estimate – a 50/50 chance of five years – is far from a consensus, but it has driven the debate back to the public.
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