Bitcoin's Shift to Post-Quantum Security Could Take Up to a Decade — Jameson Lopp

Source: DefiPlanet Original Title: Bitcoin’s Shift to Post-Quantum Security Could Take Up to a Decade — Jameson Lopp Original Link: https://defi-planet.com/2025/12/bitcoins-shift-to-post-quantum-security-could-take-up-to-a-decade-jameson-lopp/

Quick Breakdown

• Jameson Lopp says Bitcoin’s move to post-quantum security could take 5-10 years due to the network’s decentralized structure.
• Bitcoin maximalists argue quantum computers pose no near-term threat, citing technical and economic limitations.
• Some investors warn that Bitcoin’s price could suffer if the protocol is not quantum-ready by 2028.

Bitcoin’s Quantum Security Challenge

Bitcoin’s transition to post-quantum cryptography is not an urgent emergency but will require long-term planning, according to Bitcoin Core developer and Casa co-founder Jameson Lopp. As debate around quantum computing intensifies, Lopp says preparing Bitcoin for future threats could take anywhere from five to ten years.

No, quantum computers won’t break Bitcoin in the near future. We’ll keep observing their evolution.

Yet, making thoughtful changes to the protocol (and an unprecedented migration of funds) could easily take 5 to 10 years.

We should hope for the best, but prepare for the worst.

— Jameson Lopp

No Immediate Quantum Threat to Bitcoin

Lopp echoed Blockstream CEO Adam Back’s position that quantum computers do not pose a near-term risk to Bitcoin’s security. The Bitcoin community has time to monitor developments in quantum technology before rushing into protocol changes.

However, he warned that upgrading Bitcoin to post-quantum standards would be far from simple. Unlike centralized systems, Bitcoin’s distributed consensus makes protocol changes slow and complex, especially when they involve mass user participation.

“Thoughtful protocol changes and a network-wide migration of funds could easily take five to ten years,” Lopp said, adding that the network should prepare early despite the lack of immediate danger.

Why Upgrading Bitcoin is So Difficult

Lopp emphasized that Bitcoin’s decentralized nature is both its strength and its challenge. Any move toward quantum-resistant cryptography would require broad agreement among developers, node operators, miners, and users—a process that historically takes years.

The quantum debate has highlighted a growing divide between Bitcoin maximalists and venture capitalists. Bitcoin advocate Pierre Rochard argued that the cost of mounting a quantum attack on Bitcoin would be so high that it would likely require government-level funding. He added that developing quantum-resistant solutions is financially feasible and could be supported by non-profits and VCs without disrupting the protocol prematurely.

Samson Mow, CEO of JAN3, also downplayed the risk, noting that current quantum computers struggle with even basic mathematical problems, let alone breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography.

Investors Warn of Price Impact if Bitcoin Delays

Despite the skepticism from Bitcoin OGs, some investors believe the perceived quantum threat could weigh on BTC’s price.

Charles Edwards, founder of digital asset fund Capriole, warned that Bitcoin could fall below $50,000 if it fails to adopt quantum-ready security measures by 2028. Edwards has urged node operators to adopt Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 360 (BIP-360), which introduces a quantum-resistant signature scheme.