Will Bitcoin Price Drop to Zero If Quantum Breakthrough Happens Tomorrow?

Recent breakthroughs in quantum computing have raised alarms for Bitcoin investors, prompting fears of a potential market collapse. But would a quantum computing leap actually send Bitcoin’s price spiraling to zero?

By mid-2025, the nearest realistic timeline to a threat remains 2030–2035. Around that time, we might see a wave of specialized machines, cloud services, and new operating-software layers. However, you won’t see desktop quantum machines any more than you see classical supercomputers in your living room.

The Quantum Threat to Bitcoin is Real – But Exaggerated

Quantum computing has advanced significantly by June 2025. Google’s new 105-qubit Willow processor and Microsoft’s Majorana 1 chip demonstrate significant progress towards stable quantum computing.

Yet, despite these leaps, quantum computers capable of cracking Bitcoin’s cryptography remain years away. 

Experts estimate that quantum systems must reach around 1,500 to 3,000 stable, error-corrected qubits to pose a direct threat to Bitcoin security.

Now, quantum computers work differently from today’s classical computers. They’re not just faster but can solve certain complex problems—like cryptographic puzzles—almost instantly. 

Concerningly, Bitcoin, like most cryptocurrencies, relies heavily on cryptography to secure transactions and wallets.

So, if a quantum breakthrough happened suddenly, Bitcoin addresses using older encryption methods would be instantly vulnerable. This also includes Satoshi Nakamoto’s dormant wallet with nearly 1.1 million BTC.

Serious question to the Bitcoin community: What do we do here when quantum computing becomes good enough to "steal" these tokens?Will there be enough consensus to migrate over to a quantum proof algo? Is there progress along those fronts already? https://t.co/Co1i7ZGIWo

— askar.eth (@0xAskar) May 27, 2025

Approximately 25% of all Bitcoin resides in reused addresses. That would leave billions of dollars potentially exposed.

In the short term, this scenario would trigger panic selling. Extreme panic might even see Bitcoin’s price plummet by as much as 30% to 50% within days.

However, this wouldn’t necessarily mean Bitcoin hits zero. Developers would likely respond quickly by upgrading the network to quantum-resistant cryptographic standards. 

This emergency response could involve migrating to newer, secure addresses and implementing quantum-safe encryption methods. 

Some of my thoughts on Quantum Computing & Bitcoin in response to a client's inquiry:"Quantum computing presents a theoretical risk to Bitcoin, just as it does to banks and much of today’s internet infrastructure. The main concern is Bitcoin’s use of elliptic curve signatures…

— matthew sigel, recovering CFA (@matthew_sigel) June 2, 2025

Decentralization is the Key Shield

Transitioning to quantum-resistant technology isn’t straightforward. It requires substantial coordination across miners, exchanges, and wallet providers. 

Still, Bitcoin’s decentralized nature gives it flexibility, enabling the community to swiftly roll out necessary updates.

Longer-term recovery depends on the crypto community’s agility. If successfully upgraded, Bitcoin’s value could stabilize and recover from initial shocks, preserving investor confidence.

So, quantum computing threats, though real, aren’t immediate. 

Am I worried about quantum computing breaking Bitcoin?Not anymore than I'm worried about AI wiping out all jobs and society descending into chaos as a result.Or quantum computing breaking encryption that secures online banking and military infrastructure.What happens to the…

— Stack Hodler (@stackhodler) May 27, 2025

Most importantly, experts project a realistic quantum threat timeline around 2030–2035. It gives the crypto community crucial time to plan and implement protective measures.

In short, while a quantum computing breakthrough tomorrow would seriously disrupt Bitcoin’s market temporarily, it’s unlikely to wipe out its value completely.