 ▲ Bitcoin (BTC), quantum computer/ChatGPT-generated image |
Quantum computers have emerged as a ticking time bomb that could collapse the entire market along with the Bitcoin (BTC) holdings of Satoshi Nakamoto.
According to crypto-focused media outlet BeInCrypto on March 13 (local time), Litecoin (LTC) founder Charlie Lee analyzed that the 1.1 million BTC owned by Satoshi Nakamoto is defenseless against future technological threats. Lee warned that once quantum computing technology surpasses a critical threshold, security vulnerabilities in the early Bitcoin (BTC) network could be exposed, potentially causing irreversible disaster in the market.
The core of the threat lies in the structural limitations of the early P2PK address format used by Nakamoto to store Bitcoin. If quantum computers with dramatically advanced computational power emerge, they could exploit vulnerabilities in the original transaction format and derive private keys. While the address format currently used by most users offers stronger security, the 1.1 million BTC held by Nakamoto is not protected by these enhanced measures, making it an easy target for hacking or unauthorized withdrawals.
Lee argues that a mandatory network-level upgrade is essential to prevent potential market collapse. He has proposed implementing a soft fork that would set a specific deadline requiring Bitcoin stored in legacy addresses to be moved to new quantum-resistant addresses. Any of Nakamoto’s holdings not transferred within the deadline would be rendered unusable to fundamentally eliminate security risks.
This unprecedented proposal has sparked intense debate as it directly clashes with the protection of private property rights, a cornerstone of the digital asset ecosystem. Critics argue that freezing or forcibly transferring assets without the owner’s consent undermines the spirit of decentralization. However, fears are spreading that if the overwhelming 1.1 million BTC were to be released into the market at once or stolen, Bitcoin’s entire value system could collapse, fueling growing calls for countermeasures.
The digital asset industry is closely monitoring the pace of commercialization of quantum technology and the technical responses of developers, seeking solutions to ensure the long-term security of the market. The process of finding an appropriate balance between technological advancement and the philosophical values of the ecosystem is expected to become a critical turning point that will determine Bitcoin’s future survival.
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