Satoshi 1M BTC May Be Frozen Amid Quantum Threat Says CryptoQuant CEO Alert

TLDR

• About 6.89 million BTC may be vulnerable to future quantum attacks.
• Satoshi’s 1 million BTC remain unmoved since 2010.
• Quantum machines could derive private keys from exposed public keys.
• A Bitcoin protocol upgrade may be required to prevent losses.

Ki Young Ju, founder and CEO of CryptoQuant, has warned that Satoshi Nakamoto’s 1 million Bitcoin could face risks from quantum computing. He stated that if quantum attacks become viable, freezing dormant coins may be necessary to prevent losses.

Ju shared his views on social media and in a published article. He said that once powerful quantum computers become widely available, older Bitcoin addresses could be exposed. He included Satoshi’s wallet among those at risk.

Old Bitcoin Addresses and Quantum Exposure

Ju explained that under certain conditions, quantum machines could derive a private key from an exposed public key. This process is not currently practical, but he noted that future advances may change that.

He stated, “Under certain conditions, sufficiently powerful quantum machines could derive a private key from an exposed public key.” This scenario would place older Bitcoin addresses at risk, especially those using early formats.

According to Ju, approximately 6.89 million Bitcoin may be vulnerable. This figure includes 1 million BTC attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto. It also includes 3.4 million Bitcoin that have remained dormant for more than ten years.

These coins have not moved since the early years of the network. If quantum systems can break current cryptographic protections, dormant wallets could become targets.

Possible Protocol Upgrade and Community Response

Ju said the Bitcoin protocol would likely require an upgrade to address quantum risks. Such an upgrade would aim to secure funds against potential quantum attacks.

However, wallet owners would need to move their funds to new, quantum-resistant addresses. If they fail to act, their Bitcoin could remain exposed. Dormant wallets would be unable to respond to such changes.

Ju acknowledged that reaching agreement within the Bitcoin community can be difficult. He referred to past disagreements, including the block size debate and resulting forks. He noted that “technical fixes move fast. Social consensus does not.”

A proposal to freeze dormant Bitcoin, including Satoshi’s holdings, may face resistance. Some participants may oppose altering access to long-held coins.

Economic Feasibility and Future Risks

At present, attacks using quantum computing are not economically viable. The technology remains limited and expensive. Current cryptographic protections continue to secure the Bitcoin network.

Ju warned that this situation could change if quantum attacks become cheaper and more accessible. In that case, attackers might target exposed public keys on the blockchain.

He argued that discussions about quantum risks should begin now. Preparation may reduce disruption if the technology advances quickly. Without coordination, differing responses could lead to further network splits.

The debate over how to handle Satoshi’s 1 million BTC reflects broader concerns about long-term network security. As quantum computing develops, Bitcoin developers and users may need to consider preventive measures.

For now, the issue remains theoretical, but industry leaders continue to monitor progress in quantum research. The future handling of dormant Bitcoin may depend on both technical readiness and community agreement.

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