TLDR
- Yakovenko warns of a 50% chance of a quantum breakthrough within five years that could endanger Bitcoin’s current cryptography.
- He calls on Bitcoin to migrate to a quantum-resistant signature scheme to maintain network security and long-term reliability.
- Yakovenko urges Google and Apple to adopt quantum-resistant cryptographic stacks to protect global consumer data and digital assets.
- He says Bitcoin’s proof-of-work design is robust but must upgrade to remain secure as AI and quantum technologies converge.
Solana co-founder Anatoly Yakovenko urged the Bitcoin community to prepare for rapid progress in quantum computing. Speaking at the All-In Summit 2025, he warned that a breakthrough in quantum technology could arrive within five years. Yakovenko called for the immediate adoption of quantum-resistant security to protect Bitcoin from future attacks.
He commended Bitcoin’s proof-of-work design for its simplicity and strength but insisted that stronger cryptographic measures are needed to maintain long-term safety.
Solana Co-founder Calls for Quantum-Resistant Bitcoin
Yakovenko stated that Bitcoin should migrate to a quantum-resistant signature scheme before 2030. He estimated a 50% chance of a major quantum breakthrough within the next five years, which could threaten today’s cryptographic standards.
He explained that multiple technologies, including artificial intelligence, are advancing at a faster pace than expected. This acceleration, he said, makes it essential to upgrade Bitcoin’s security well ahead of time. While its proof-of-work system remains highly robust, Yakovenko believes it will not remain secure against quantum-powered attacks without timely changes.
Tech Giants Urged to Strengthen Cryptographic Stacks
Furthermore, Yakovenko encouraged companies like Google and Apple to adopt quantum-resistant cryptographic stacks to protect consumer data and digital networks. He said the consumer side of this protection is almost ready and needs broad deployment to guard key infrastructure.
During the discussion, host David Friedberg mentioned Google’s Willow project, a 2024 chip using AI for quantum research that reportedly operates at extraordinary speed. Yakovenko said the combination of AI and quantum computing could unlock vast new processing capabilities and wealth creation. Preparing cryptography now, he argued, will help secure both cryptocurrencies and the wider digital economy.
Bitcoin Seen as Durable
In addition, Yakovenko acknowledged Bitcoin’s ability to endure financial shocks. He said its open, decentralized structure would allow it to survive major economic disruptions even if individual holders face risk.
Still, he warned that state-backed actors could attempt to target the network’s largest accounts once quantum capabilities mature. Although Bitcoin’s proof-of-work design is simple and resistant to many forms of attack, Yakovenko believes it will require quantum-resistant measures to protect wealth and property rights in the long term.
AI and Crypto Growth Are Intertwined
At the same time, Yakovenko observed that artificial intelligence and cryptocurrency will continue to grow in parallel, with their eventual intersection hard to define. He suggested that AI will be everywhere and crypto will be equally widespread, but how these technologies fully merge is unpredictable.
He stressed the importance of strong property rights, especially in Western societies, as a defense against potential government interference. Yakovenko advised transparency in Bitcoin ownership to reduce the risk of confiscation, while reaffirming that privacy remains a fundamental right. Protecting digital ownership, he said, will help ensure Bitcoin’s survival in a world where quantum computing becomes common.
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