Quantum computers do not threaten Bitcoin security — expert opinion
Date: 2025-08-13 Author: Henry Casey Categories: CRYPTO PAYMENTS
In a recent publication on X (former Twitter), Cook stated that even the latest developments from Microsoft, Google and IBM do not pose a threat to BTC. He recalled that the basis of Bitcoin is built on complex mathematics, which cannot be bypassed by existing computing methods.
In February 2025, Microsoft introduced the Majorana 1 quantum chip based on topoconductors. According to the developers, this architecture will allow the system to be scaled up to millions of qubits, which caused lively discussions in the crypto community. Google Willow and IBM Blue Jay chips caused a similar reaction. However, Cook believes that the fears are exaggerated.
To illustrate, he offered a thought experiment: if each of the 8 billion people on the planet had a billion supercomputers that checked a billion combinations every second, it would still take over 10^40 years to crack Bitcoin. At the same time, the age of the Universe is only about 14 billion years.
Cook also noted that a 24-word phrase used to protect a cryptocurrency wallet has 340 septillion trillion more possible combinations than a standard 12-word phrase. Even taking into account the progress in quantum computing, such complexity remains insurmountable.
He explained that classical qubits quickly lose their quantum state, while topological qubits, used in Majorana 1, are more stable. Cook compared them to knots on rubber bands - they retain their shape even if they are stretched or twisted. This may facilitate the development of quantum systems with millions of qubits, but it does not give a chance of a successful attack on the Bitcoin network.
Meanwhile, the race for leadership in quantum technologies is gaining momentum. Governments and corporations around the world are investing colossal amounts of money in this sector. South Korea has allocated more than $480 million for an eight-year research program, and the UK has allocated over $921 million to develop quantum computing applications in medicine and energy. According to analysts, in the first quarter of 2025, global investment in quantum technologies increased by 125%, exceeding $1.25 billion.
Experts predict that significant capital investments coupled with rapid technological breakthroughs will lead to transformative changes in industry, science and other areas. However, as Cook emphasizes, even at this rate of development, quantum computers will not be able to shake the security of Bitcoin for a long time.
