Stacks founder Muneeb Ali said quantum computing concerns are already limiting institutional investment in Bitcoin during an interview on Cointelegraph's Chain Reaction podcast. Ali argued that risk-averse institutions could postpone large Bitcoin purchases until developers provide a credible plan for quantum-resistant security. Ali said Bitcoin needs that plan to rebuild investor confidence.
Ali warned that Bitcoin could face greater risk if developers do not achieve meaningful progress on quantum-resistant security by 2028. Ali said security upgrades generally require years to implement. Ali said users would then need more time to transfer holdings to new addresses. Ali identified 2030 as a target for adopting quantum-resistant security, citing guidance from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Ali suggested that artificial intelligence advances could speed quantum computer development and potentially move that timeline forward to 2029.
Ali acknowledged that some Bitcoin proponents regard the quantum computing threat as distant and consider the concerns exaggerated. However, Ali argued that disagreement about the threat's urgency could itself weaken investor confidence, especially without a credible upgrade plan. Ali said a quantum computer powerful enough to pose a threat would more likely come from a major research laboratory than an unknown attacker. Ali suggested that companies such as Google or Microsoft would have little incentive to steal Bitcoin using quantum technology because of possible legal consequences. Ali said a quantum attack on Bitcoin would also affect the wider cryptocurrency industry, including projects developing separate protections.
Ali co-founded Stacks, a Bitcoin layer-2 network intended to support smart contracts and decentralized applications on Bitcoin. Stacks relies on Bitcoin for settlement.
Developers are investigating defenses against quantum attacks on Bitcoin. StarkWare reported in September that researchers cut the estimated computing cost for preparing an experimental quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction by 79% after a weeklong optimization challenge. The method does not require modifications to Bitcoin's consensus rules. However, the latest reductions in computing costs have been demonstrated only through benchmark tests. StarkWare has characterized the technology as a fallback for emergencies and still supports a protocol-level upgrade for protection over the longer term.
Stacks Founder Warns Bitcoin Needs Quantum-Resistant Security by 2028
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Summary
Stacks founder Muneeb Ali highlighted Bitcoin news as he warned that quantum-resistant security is essential by 2028 to retain institutional trust. He noted that a security breach risk could delay major Bitcoin purchases until a solid plan is in place. Ali suggested 2028 as a key deadline, with 2030 as a possible full adoption target. He also mentioned AI could speed up quantum threats, possibly to 2029. Developers are testing solutions, including a method by StarkWare that cut quantum-resistant transaction costs by 79%.
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