BTC News: Jan Van Eck Says His Firm Will “Walk Away” If Bitcoin Comes Under Quantum Threat

Here’s a look at the rising concerns around quantum computing and how it could threaten Bitcoin’s security, privacy and long-term stability.

Bitcoin has survived many challenges over the years. Yet a new threat is drawing attention from major investment firms. 

Quantum computing is growing fast, and several leaders in finance are asking if the math that protects Bitcoin will hold up. 

This concern reached a new level after comments from Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck. His firm has long supported Bitcoin, but he now questions how safe its encryption will remain in the future.

Bitcoin Security Under Quantum Pressure

Van Eck explained on CNBC that the next wave of computing power could test the limits of Bitcoin’s cryptography. 

He noted that people in the crypto community are already asking if the network has enough protection to survive the arrival of quantum machines. He says that his firm will stay involved as long as the foundation seems solid. 

If it no longer appears to be sound, they are ready to walk away.

VanEck manages large crypto products, including a major spot Bitcoin ETF in the United States. The firm has taken in more than a billion dollars since early last year and despite that strong support, van Eck’s recent comments show that institutions are no longer looking only at price or regulation. 

They are now asking whether Bitcoin can adapt fast enough to remain secure.

Quantum computers do not work like normal machines. A traditional computer uses bits that represent a one or zero. Because of this, a quantum system uses qubits that can hold several states at once. 

That gives it far more strength for cracking the math problems that protect digital assets. Since Bitcoin relies on elliptic curve cryptography, a large enough quantum system could break the signatures behind transactions. 

If that happened, someone could forge transfers or grab coins from exposed addresses.

Experts argue that powerful quantum systems may still be years away, yet the worries are not only about raw power. The real worry lies in how long it would take BTC to upgrade. 

The network needs agreement from many groups and changes to the signature system often move more slowly.

Zcash Draws Fresh Interest From Bitcoin Veterans

Some long-time Bitcoin users are looking into options that provide stronger privacy features. Van Eck mentioned that many veterans are looking toward Zcash. 

This token uses zero-knowledge proofs and gives users the choice to hide amounts and addresses.

Zcash surged recently as more traders chased assets that allow private transactions. 

Supporters say its shielded system offers a useful contrast to Bitcoin where every transfer is visible on the blockchain. Zcash developers are also studying ways to add encryption that can stand up to quantum systems. 

These efforts make the project more noticeable at a time when investors are looking for stronger protection and private transfers.

Although Zcash faces hurdles like smaller adoption and concerns around privacy regulation, it stands out because of its research focus. That mix of privacy and stronger mathematical foundations has raised interest among investors who now care about long-term safety more than ever.

Related Reading: Cardone Capital Buys 185 Bitcoin in $15.3M Amid Market Dip

Large Firms Are Starting To Sound Alarms

VanEck is not alone. BlackRock updated its own Bitcoin ETF filing earlier this year to mention quantum risk. 

The document states that new advances could weaken Bitcoin’s cryptography and that the network might need a large upgrade.

This was not just legal language. It signalled that major institutions now see quantum threats as worth mentioning. For many years, the only people raising these worries were academic groups and a few developers. 

Once BlackRock added it to an official filing, the topic gained more weight in traditional finance.

Researchers added fuel to the discussion by studying how long a switch to new cryptography could take. A 2024 paper explained that the transition might require years, and the network could face slower performance during that time. 

This delay creates a danger zone and if quantum machines arrive faster than upgrades roll out, people holding older addresses could be exposed.

That problem worries institutions that manage billions of dollars. Bitcoin once appealed to them as a long-term store of value. Now, they wonder if they should prepare for big changes or hedge their exposure.