Summary
- "Grayscale" said quantum computing could be a long-term threat to virtual asset security.
- The report said that until 2026 market prices and investor sentiment would see minimal material impact.
- It explained that research into post-quantum cryptography is necessary, but in the short term it has little impact on the valuation of major virtual assets such as Bitcoin (BTC).
Quantum computing could be a long-term risk factor to the security of virtual assets (cryptocurrencies), but analysis says its impact on market prices over the next year will be minimal. In the short term, it is considered close to an excessive concern.
According to a Decrypt report on the 16th (local time), Grayscale said in its recently released 'Digital Asset Outlook 2026' report that "quantum computing can threaten the cryptographic systems of virtual asset networks, but it is unlikely to have a material effect on market prices or investor sentiment in 2026."
The report cited some estimates that a quantum computing system capable of actually breaking Bitcoin's encryption could appear around 2030 at the earliest. However, considering the current pace of technological development and networks' ability to respond, it explained that the likelihood of that threat materializing in the near term is not high.
Grayscale also emphasized that research into and preparation for post-quantum cryptography is necessary in the mid to long term, but added that over the next year this issue is unlikely to be a direct variable for the valuation or market structure of major virtual assets, including Bitcoin (BTC).
Suehyeon Lee
shlee@bloomingbit.ioI'm reporter Suehyeon Lee, your Web3 Moderator.
