Discussions about quantum computing have raised serious concerns about Bitcoin’s long-term security, but economic impacts may emerge before this technology poses a real threat to the network.
Muneeb Ali, founder of Bitcoin Layer-2 project Stacks, believes that quantum computing risks are already deterring institutional investment, despite data from BitBo showing that the net asset value of U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs has exceeded $104 billion. He warns that Bitcoin has only a few years to prepare for a transition to quantum-resistant security, and given the network’s historically slow and contentious upgrade process, this transition could itself take several more years.
For institutional investors who view Bitcoin as a hedge against currency depreciation, external doubts about its long-term security may complicate their investment rationale.
This week’s Crypto Biz focuses on quantum threats and new developments at Ripple, VanEck, and in European stablecoin adoption.
Quantum computing concerns have been limiting Bitcoin's growth, says Stacks founder
Stacks founder Muneeb Ali said that if developers fail to make substantial progress toward quantum resistance by 2028, Bitcoin could face more severe security challenges. He warned that the network’s lengthy upgrade process leaves almost no room for delay.
Ali stated on Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction podcast that Bitcoin needs a credible roadmap toward quantum resistance and must make substantial progress by 2028. He noted that, based on guidance from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 2030 could serve as a target for completing the transition to quantum-safe security, but advancements in artificial intelligence may accelerate this deadline.
Even if developers agree on how to protect Bitcoin from quantum attacks, implementing these changes could take years. Afterward, coin holders will still need time to move their Bitcoin to quantum-resistant addresses.
Although some industry participants disagree on the urgency of this threat, Ali believes that this uncertainty alone could undermine investor confidence. He also warns that if quantum technology makes a breakthrough sufficient to threaten Bitcoin, it could impact the broader cryptocurrency market.
Ripple obtains a U.S. federal banking license
Ripple has received final approval from the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency to establish a national trust bank, removing the last regulatory hurdle after receiving conditional approval in December 2025.
The newly licensed Ripple National Trust Bank will be subject to federal regulation, manage the reserves backing the company’s RLUSD stablecoin as collateral trustee for token holders, and provide digital asset custody services. RLUSD will continue to be issued by Standard Custody & Trust Company, regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services.
Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse welcomed the approval, stating that "cryptocurrency and banking will work better together."
This decision follows Circle’s receipt of a similar final approval in July; Coinbase, Crypto.com, and Stripe’s Bridge remain under conditional approval. Unlike traditional commercial banks, state trust banks typically cannot accept deposits or make loans and are not covered by Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) insurance.
With the MiCA regulations taking effect, USDC has surpassed Tether in euro trading.
Circle’s USDC has surpassed Tether’s USDt in stablecoin trading against the euro, as EU regulation reshapes the competitive landscape between the two major dollar-pegged stablecoins.
According to a new report from Kaiko, USDC currently accounts for 56% of euro-denominated stablecoin trading, up from 10% in January 2024. This shift accelerated after major crypto exchanges restricted USDt trading for customers in the European Economic Area, in compliance with the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA).
Kaiko states that the euro order book depth for USDC is currently about 40% greater than that of USDT, indicating stronger liquidity for traders. However, USDT remains the dominant stablecoin globally, with a circulating supply approximately 2.5 times that of USDC.
These findings come after the European Banking Authority designated USDC as the region’s first “significant electronic money token,” meaning it will be subject to additional regulatory scrutiny. Kaiko believes that the U.S. GENIUS Act could also bring similar changes to stablecoin trading, depending on how exchanges implement the new requirements.
VanEck includes Bitcoin in its new multi-asset ETF
VanEck, with $244 billion in assets under management, has launched an actively managed exchange-traded fund that combines traditional stocks and bonds with real assets and a small allocation to bitcoin.
VanEck Wealth Builder ETF (NYSE: WBMO) announced on Tuesday that it will invest in a portfolio of VanEck and third-party ETFs, with a target allocation of 2% to bitcoin, ranging between 1% and 5%. The fund does not hold bitcoin directly but gains exposure through spot bitcoin exchange-traded products. This launch also consolidates VanEck’s existing Wealth Builder model portfolios into a single ETF.
David Schassler, Head of Multi-Asset Solutions at VanEck, said that traditional 60/40 stock and bond portfolios were designed for different investment environments. He believes that adding real assets helps investors navigate a broader range of economic conditions, and that bitcoin has now become a small part of this strategy.
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- Bitcoin Adoption
- Quantum Computing
- Bitcoin ETF
- Stablecoin
- VanEck
- Ripple
- Industry