Is Idle Wallet the first to be affected? Tether CEO: Quantum computing could bring Satoshi Nakamoto's BTC back to the market.

With the rapid development of quantum computing technology, the encryption community began to follow its potential threat to the security of Bitcoin. Paolo Ardoino, CEO of Tether, recently stated that although quantum computing does not currently pose an immediate risk to the security of BTC's blockchain, certain idle Wallets, particularly those related to Satoshi Nakamoto's Address, may be the first to be affected.

(WSJ Re-frying BTC quantum hacker risk, experts call it a "hidden bomb")

Quantum computing may bring 'dead BTC' back to the market?

Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino pointed out in a recent tweet that quantum computing does not currently pose a direct threat to blockchain security. However, idle wallets led by Satoshi Nakamoto may become vulnerable as quantum computing technology advances.

Prediction.

Quantum computing is still very far from any meaningful risk of breaking Bitcoin cryptography. Quantum resistant addresses will eventually be added to Bitcoin before there is any serious threat.

All people alive (and that have access to their wallets) will move…

— Paolo Ardoino (@paoloardoino) February 8, 2025

Ardoino first assures the encryption community that the cryptographic security of BTC is still solid. The current quantum computing technology has not yet reached the level of threatening BTC. And when this technology truly becomes a risk, the BTC network will adopt anti-quantum attack technology to respond.

However, he also pointed out that if quantum computing technology makes a breakthrough, some long-unused BTC Wallets may be affected, especially those whose owners have lost their private keys or have passed away. Among them, the most controversial asset is believed to be the approximately 1.2 million BTC controlled by Satoshi Nakamoto: (

All idle BTC, including Satoshi Nakamoto's ) if he has passed away (, may be hacked and re-enter the market circulation.

Nevertheless, he emphasizes that quantum computing will not affect the core economic model of BTC.

Anyway, the total amount of BTC is still 21 million, which will not change, even if quantum computing technology is powerful, it cannot shake.

Ardoino's remarks come at a time when Google's recent prediction that commercial quantum computing may be achieved within the next five years, the advancement of this technology has led the encryption currency community to begin following its potential impact on the security of Bitcoin.

)Google quantum chip threatens Bitcoin? Microsoft rejects BTC reserve proposal, BTC96K oscillates at high level(

The BTC community may need to take preventive measures.

Ardoino's view is consistent with that of Emin Gün Sirer, co-founder of Ava Labs.

There is the issue of Satoshi’s 1m Bitcoin. @hosseeb just reminded me that Satoshi’s early minded coins used the very old Pay-To-Public-Key )P2PK( format, which reveals the public key and gives the attacker time to grind, for the mother of all cryptography bounties. P2PK isn’t…

— Emin Gün Sirer )@el33th4xor( December 9, 2024

Sirer pointed out last December that the early transaction method of BTC used the "Pay-to-Public-Key, P2PK" format, which directly exposed the public key, making it a potential target for quantum attacks:

The BTC mined by Satoshi Nakamoto in the early days used the P2PK format, which means that the public key was made public, allowing attackers ample time to crack the private key. In order to reduce future risks, the BTC community may need to consider freezing these BTC, or more broadly setting a deadline for all P2PK UTXOs (Unspent Transaction Output) to become invalid under the accounting processing model ).

Quantum computing risks still need to be monitored

Quantum computing uses the principles of quantum mechanics to process information at speeds far beyond those of traditional computers. The development of this technology has raised concerns about its potential to weaken modern encryption techniques and even impact the security of blockchain networks.

(In-depth study: "Understanding Quantum Computers in One Hour": Take you deep into the quantum revolution, and decrypt network encryption in seconds)

With Google's recent release of its latest quantum computing chip 'Willow', people are re-following the potential impact of quantum computing on network security. Although many analysts believe that the real practical risk of quantum computing may still be 10 years away, Hartmut Neven, head of Google's quantum department, recently stated that commercial applications may be realized within five years:

We are confident that we will see concrete applications through quantum computers within five years.

In theory, once quantum computing technology reaches a certain level, it may be able to crack traditional encryption keys and manipulate blockchain transactions, including unauthorized reading and double-spending attacks.

It is worth noting that the blockchain industry has been actively developing countermeasures, including multiple blockchain networks such as Solana, to develop quantum-resistant cryptography technology, ensuring that blockchain technology can develop in sync with industry threats to maintain the security of encryption currencies.

Is this article idle Wallet first? Tether CEO: Quantum computing may bring Satoshi Nakamoto's BTC back to the market first appeared on Chain News ABMedia.