The discussions on crypto versus quantum computing are intensifying on social media with leaders from the tech and Web3 spaces picking sides on the situation. Top leaders of crypto giants like Binance, Ethereum, and Ledger among others are joining the conversation predicting which of the two technologies will trump the other in the foreseeable future.
Google, this week, published a whitepaper highlighting that quantum computing’s Shor’s algorithm can crack the present encryption systems of most cryptocurrencies within nine minutes.
In the backdrop of this report, Binance co-founder Changpeng Zhao addressed the rising panic around the situation on X on Tuesday. He said, all that the crypto ecosystem would have t o do to beat the quantum threats would be to upgrade to “Quantum-Resistant (Post-Quantum) Algorithms”.
“New code may introduce other bugs or security issues in the short term. Fundamentally it’s always easier to encrypt than decrypt. More computing power is always good. Crypto will stay, post quantum,” CZ said.
Among issues that may arise, CZ pointed out, organizing the required upgrades in the decentralized world could be a tad complicated. He expects the crypto industry to indulge in debates on which quantum-resistant algorithms to deploy among other related topics. He also noted that upgrades could infuse bugs and security issues on existing crypto networks for a short term before being addressed.
Pascal Gauthier, the CEO of Ledger also joined CZ in addressing the viral headlines highlighting how quantum computing could break BTC’s encryption in nine minutes. He said Google’s report essentially claimed that the math shaping up quantum computing is advancing faster than expected.
He did, however, acknowledge that the crypto industry should stop waiting for quantum to advance. Instead, Gauthier said, the sector should already start working on the post-quantum migration. Citing Ledger’s own findings, the CEO claimed that their hardware wallets are already undergoing post-quantum stress-testing signatures.
Quantum computing deploys advance mechanics like superposition and entanglement to systemize massive volumes of data and simultaneously solve problems that are difficult to crack for traditional computers. Tech giants including IBM, Microsoft, Amazon, and Intel among others are working to develop quantum technology solutions alongside Google.
Back in 2025, Google confirmed through testing that quantum computers can run a verifiable algorithm on hardware 13,000 times faster than the common computer. The search engine giant shipped the development as a major breakthrough.
Owing to the rapid advancements in quantum, in january this year, Coinbase established an Independent Advisory Board on Quantum Computing and Blockchain. Through this, Coinbase aims to analyze the implications that quantum computing could have on the blockchain ecosystem for better preparedness.
Ethereum co-developer Vitalik Buterin has been speaking about the risks that quantum computing poses for the blockchain sector for a while now.
In February, the German develper listed the risk points for Ethereum that are vulnerable to quantum cracking after which he suggested replacing signature mechanisms to safeguard the network.
These discussions indicate that the crypto sector has started opening public discussions around the upcoming quantum threats.
Several research reports claim that by the end of 2026, quantum computing could shift from being a lab research subject to practical systems.
In a study published by Petronella Technology Group, the advancements in quantum computing could help hackers, intelligence agencies, and bad actors intercept massive amounts of encrypted data — which they have not been able to crack yet but they have it acquireed and stored. This threat is referred to as the “harvest now, decrypt later” attack.