The largest US-based Coinbase has established an independent advisory board to evaluate and provide guidance on the threat quantum computing may pose to cryptography used in blockchain networks. This issue has been widely discussed among prominent financial leaders, such as Bridgewater founder Ray Dalio again VanEck CEO Jan van Eckas it is thought to prevent further institutional investment in crypto.
Since blockchain networks use cryptography to enable each user to have complete independence over their digital assets on an individual basis, a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) will effectively disable these systems, as anyone with such a CRQC will be able to use any address. Of course, the cryptography used in these systems and the traditional financial sector can theoretically be updated for quantum security.
In terms of specific tasks, the new advisory board, officially known as the Coinbase Independent Advisory Board on Quantum Computing and Blockchain, will publish papers that assess threat levels, issue recommendations to institutions and developers, and respond to new developments in the field of quantum computing as they arise. Board members include Director of the Quantum Information Center at the University of Texas at Austin, Scott Aaronson, and Co-Director of the Stanford Center for Blockchain Research, Dan Boneh.
Last year, new developments in quantum computing from the likes of Google, and its Willow chipit renewed excitement about the prospect of real progress in this emerging technology. Various technical organizations and institutions, such as the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and IBM, have cited them mid 2030s as a time when fear over CRQCs will be effective and real. In fact, many tech giants, such as Google again Amazonthey have already made changes to prepare for what has become widely known as Q-Day.
One of the reasons why those in the crypto space are interested in being particularly active when it comes to volume preparation—apart from the fact that everything will break if CRQC appears without adequate preparation—is that decentralized systems tend to be more difficult to develop than the main technology companies that make leading decisions that have the ability to have the final say on changes. Because of this long period of time associated with the development of the crypto network, it makes sense to start working on this problem before it becomes anywhere near an obvious, imminent threat.
quantum stability is a clear priority for ethereum (and solana, and, and). bitcoin devs are still pretending “no one in tech” is worried about quantum? pic.twitter.com/uh6hrLTTr2
– nic carter (@nic_carter) January 19, 2026
Yes, that is also true Crypto has increasingly been separated from traditional, centralized fintech. Blockchain networks are now available widely used by traditional fintech firms like Stripe and stablecoin issuers like Circleas it has become clear over time that ordinary users are more interested in dollar-backed tokens than volatile, crypto-native assets like bitcoin and ether. So, in this view, most of the crypto market will probably be able to evolve to deal with the quantum threat in time.
On the other hand, Bitcoin itself still maintains a high degree of decentralization in its development processwhich made it very difficult to make changes at the protocol level. The last development that changed the rules of the protocol was Taproot, which opened in 2021. The argument that Bitcoin will likely be slower to adopt changes than other networks has merit, as there may be heated arguments about specifics such as whether or not old, seemingly lost coins should be stopped.
Of course, there are several quantum computing startups hoping that old coins won’t be frozen, as they would like a chance to crack. keys that hold nearly half a billion dollars (depending on the day) of bitcoin wealth.
Bitcoin developers also see the increasingly rapid development of quantum computing as a potential security risk and generally reject the development of the protocol based on fear except in extreme cases. Currently, there are Bitcoin developers working on this issue, including a proposal to develop Bitcoin (BIP), and according to longtime cypherpunk and Blockstream CEO Adam Backthe right way is not to fear but to be prepared for the worst possible outcome.
