On March 12, ARK Invest and Unchained jointly released a white paper stating that the quantum computing threat to Bitcoin will not appear suddenly in the form of “Q-Day,” but will gradually emerge through incremental technological development. The two companies proposed a five-stage framework outlining a timeline for quantum computing from initial commercial applications to its eventual impact on Bitcoin’s cryptography.
The report shows that current quantum systems are in Stage 0, meaning quantum computers exist but have no commercial value, operating in the so-called “NISQ era,” far below the computing power needed to crack Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). The first stage of quantum technology produces value in specific fields such as chemistry and materials science, while the second stage could potentially break weak cryptographic systems. The third stage would pose a real threat to Bitcoin, but currently, new systems using quantum-resistant addresses can reduce this risk.
The white paper emphasizes that Stage 4 is a critical threshold: if quantum computers at this stage can crack private keys faster without protective measures in the Bitcoin protocol, it would threaten the network’s survival. The report notes that there are already quantum-safe Bitcoin address schemes, motivating investors and developers to deploy them early to safeguard network security. Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) has advanced faster than the increase in quantum computing power capable of breaking cryptography, giving the Bitcoin community ample time to prepare for potential threats.
Additionally, the white paper presents three scenarios for the development of quantum computing: a pessimistic scenario where a breakthrough occurs suddenly, a balanced scenario where Stage 3 is reached within 10-20 years, and an optimistic scenario where quantum development is hindered. Regardless of the scenario, Bitcoin networks can upgrade through existing quantum-resistant solutions to ensure asset security.
Overall, ARK Invest and Unchained believe that Bitcoin is currently not threatened by quantum computing, but developers and the community should continue research and develop strategies to prepare for future quantum capabilities. This five-stage framework provides investors with a clear perspective, helping them understand the quantum risks to Bitcoin and its long-term security outlook.
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