Bitcoin Encryption Vulnerable to Quantum Computers in 5 Years, Warns Human Rights Foundation

Friday, Oct 31, 2025 6:56 pm ET1min read

The Human Rights Foundation has warned that quantum computers could break Bitcoin encryption within 5 years, threatening 6.51 million BTC, valued at $188 billion, including 1.1 million attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto. Experts at the Presidio Bitcoin Quantum Summit assessed that quantum computers capable of breaking Bitcoin's encryption could emerge within 5-10 years. The community is divided over how to handle vulnerable Satoshi-era funds and dormant coins in P2PK addresses, with some proposing to destroy them or leave them vulnerable to potential theft by quantum attackers.

Bitcoin Encryption Vulnerable to Quantum Computers in 5 Years, Warns Human Rights Foundation