Bitcoin security may require an upgrade faster than many people would expect, according to Anatoly Yakovenko, co-founder of Solana.
Speaking at the 2025 All-Insummit, Jacobenko warned that there could be almost 50/50 of a major quantum computing breakthrough within the next five years, urging the Bitcoin community to begin moving to quantum resistance signing now.
Quantum risks in a short timeline
Reports suggest that with the rapid advances in AI, advances in quantum hardware could reach the point where current encryption used by Bitcoin will become vulnerable around 2030.
He recommended a move from Bitcoin’s existing signature scheme, ECDSA, to an algorithm designed to resist quantum attacks.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kv_qe_yagoq
Bitcoin uses signatures that may target
Bitcoin transactions rely on ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) to prove ownership.
Based on technical warnings from many researchers, algorithms that run powerful quantum computers such as Shor’s could theoretically break their signatures and expose private keys tied to addresses that revealed the public key.
That’s the vulnerability Yakovenko highlighted.
Experts provide mixed timelines
Other voices from Crypto have pushed the timeline even further. According to the report, BlockStream’s Adam believes there are several decades away quantum machines that could threaten Bitcoin. He quotes figures from nearly 20 years.
Some numbers like Samson Mow also suggest longer windows, but new commentators warn that risks could arrive much faster if breakthroughs accelerate.
Splitting the view reflects true uncertainty about when Quantum is important on the blockchain, not when.
BTCUSD trading at $115,989 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView
What does it actually mean?
It is possible to move Bitcoin to a quantum-resistant signature, but that is not a small task. Based on industry-wide analysis, such a shift requires key protocol changes, extensive wallet updates, and careful deployment planning to avoid breaking existing addresses or exposing users during the migration.
Some suggestions include a one-time migration tool and a new address type, but there is no simple flip for the switch.
About Actions and Urgency
Based on the report, the main point of Yakovenko was urgency. Start the test and start building the migration path.
He focused on Bitcoin’s strengths, but emphasized that if many arrive faster than expected, preparation protects users and maintains trust.
Industry reports have already distributed his comments, prompting new debate across developer forums and research groups.
What will happen next
For now, Bitcoin developers and node operators are facing stable and careful research and faster tuned engineering choices to prepare for some possible futures.
Yakovenko’s estimate – a 50/50 chance in five years – is far from the consensus, but it has now made the discussion public.
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