Stacks founder says quantum concerns already capping Bitcoin growth

A quantum worry is slowing Bitcoin investment, founder says

Muneeb Ali, founder of the Bitcoin layer-2 network Stacks, says concerns about quantum computing are already limiting how much Bitcoin can grow. He made the comments during an appearance on Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction podcast.

Ali argued that uncertainty over Bitcoin’s security against quantum computers is pushing risk-averse institutional investors to hold back from large purchases. He called for a credible, publicly explained roadmap for security upgrades before those investors feel comfortable committing more capital.

"There is already a ceiling on the growth of Bitcoin because of quantum fears," Ali said.

Key points from the source

• Quantum security doubts are currently capping Bitcoin’s growth, according to Ali.


• Institutional buyers may delay large purchases until developers lay out a clear upgrade path.


• Ali said developers should aim for quantum-resistant security by 2030, a target based on guidance from the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).


• Progress in artificial intelligence could speed up quantum computer development, potentially moving that date to 2029.


• Upgrades typically take years to implement, and users then need more time to move holdings to new addresses.


• Ali warned that Bitcoin could enter a riskier period if meaningful quantum-security progress is not made by 2028.

What Ali said about the threat

Ali acknowledged that some Bitcoin supporters believe the quantum threat is still far away and that concern is overblown. But he argued that arguing over how urgent the threat is can damage confidence just as much, especially when no credible upgrade plan exists.

He added that a powerful enough quantum computer would more likely come from a major research lab than an anonymous attacker. Companies such as Google or Microsoft would have little reason to use such technology to steal Bitcoin, given the legal consequences, he said.

Ali also warned that a quantum security problem would not be contained to Bitcoin. "If Bitcoin gets hit, everyone gets hit downstream as well," he said, meaning the broader crypto industry would feel the effects too.

Work under way on Bitcoin upgrades

Developers are already exploring ways to protect Bitcoin from quantum attacks. In September, StarkWare reported that researchers had reduced the estimated computing cost of preparing an experimental quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction by 79%. That followed a weeklong optimization challenge.

Ali noted that the StarkWare approach requires no changes to Bitcoin’s core consensus rules. However, the cost savings have been shown only in benchmark tests, not live use. StarkWare describes the technology as a last-resort measure and continues to push for a protocol-level upgrade as the longer-term solution.

What is confirmed

• Muneeb Ali made these remarks on Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction podcast, published Oct 27, 2026.


• Ali stated that quantum fears have created a growth ceiling for Bitcoin and could cause cautious institutions to wait before making large purchases.


• Ali cited 2030 as a target year for quantum-resistant security, referencing NIST guidance, with 2029 as a possible earlier date due to AI-driven progress.


• StarkWare reported a 79% drop in estimated computing cost for an experimental quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction in September.

What is still unclear

• There is no official or on-chain timeline for Bitcoin quantum upgrades; 2030 and 2029 are Ali’s estimates, not commitments.


• It remains unconfirmed how much quantum uncertainty is actually holding back institutional investment at this time.


• The StarkWare 79% figure comes from benchmark tests; real-world deployment has not been demonstrated.

Why this matters

If institutional investors stay on the sidelines because they want proof that Bitcoin will be secure against future quantum computers, adoption could grow more slowly than it otherwise might. The situation is largely about trust: a clear upgrade plan could help restore confidence, while continued disagreement about urgency may keep some money on the sidelines.

Source

• Cointelegraph, "Quantum fears already limiting Bitcoin’s growth, Stacks founder says"

Read also: New Quantum Model Cuts Estimated Hardware Needed to Break Bitcoin Keys by 17 Times