Solana Co-Founder Sounds Alarm: Bitcoin Must Upgrade by 2030 to Avoid Quantum Threat

Solana's Yakovenko Warns Bitcoin Must Upgrade to Survive Quantum Threat by 2030 In a recent address at the All-In Summit 2025, Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko sounded an alarm about the potential threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin's security. According to Yakovenko, there is a "50-50" chance that a breakthrough in quantum computing will occur by 2030, rendering the network's current security measures obsolete. Yakovenko emphasized the need for Bitcoin developers to prepare for this possibility and migrate to a quantum-resistant signature scheme. However, this would require a hard fork, a highly contentious and technically complex process that would necessitate widespread support across the network. "We're not just talking about a minor tweak here," Yakovenko said. "We're talking about fundamentally changing the way Bitcoin works." The warning comes as the crypto community continues to grapple with the implications of quantum computing on blockchain security. While some experts, such as Adam Back and Peter Todd, have expressed skepticism about the near-term threat, others see it as a pressing concern. "Quantum computers are not just hypothetical machines," said Dr. Katherine Yelick, a computer scientist at the University of California, Berkeley. "They're already being developed in labs around the world, and their potential impact on cryptography is significant." The development of quantum-resistant signature schemes has been ongoing for several years, but implementing them on a large-scale network like Bitcoin would be a major undertaking. "It's not just about the technology itself," said Dr. Yelick. "It's also about the social and economic implications of such a change. We need to consider how it will affect users, miners, and the broader ecosystem." The All-In Summit 2025, where Yakovenko made his remarks, brought together leading figures in the crypto industry to discuss the future of blockchain technology. As the crypto community continues to debate the quantum threat, one thing is clear: the need for a solution is pressing. With the clock ticking towards 2030, Bitcoin developers must act quickly to prepare for this potential breakthrough. Background and Context Quantum computing has been a topic of interest in the tech industry for several years, with many experts warning about its potential impact on cryptography. In 2019, Google announced the development of a quantum computer capable of performing calculations that would take a classical computer an impractical amount of time to complete. Additional Perspectives While some experts see the quantum threat as pressing, others are more skeptical. Adam Back, a well-known figure in the crypto community, has expressed doubts about the near-term threat. "I think we're getting ahead of ourselves," said Back. "We need to focus on solving the problems we have today before worrying about hypothetical threats." Current Status and Next Developments The development of quantum-resistant signature schemes is ongoing, with several projects working towards implementing them on large-scale networks like Bitcoin. However, much work remains to be done, and the process will likely be contentious. As the crypto community continues to debate the quantum threat, one thing is clear: the need for a solution is pressing. With the clock ticking towards 2030, Bitcoin developers must act quickly to prepare for this potential breakthrough. *Reporting by Coindesk.*