A new report by Google warns that hackers could crack open Bitcoin inventor Satoshi Nakamoto’s wallets using quantum computing techniques as early as 2029, in just nine minutes. This would expose around $75 billion worth of coins, which account for over 5% of the world’s Bitcoin supply.
Some experts, like JP Richardson, who runs Exodus crypto wallet firm, are calling for a blockchain upgrade to lock up these coins forever. However, others disagree and think that voluntary upgrades by users will be more effective. The idea of forcing all wallets to adopt an update is seen as a minority view among market players.
The 2029 date may be premature, but experts agree that the quantum threat is real. Bitcoin insiders believe it could cause considerable havoc if not addressed. Meanwhile, other crypto news includes Paradigm building its prediction markets terminal and Charles Schwab planning to let customers buy spot Bitcoin or Ethereum on its brokerage.
Source: https://fortune.com/crypto/2026/04/06/quantum-computing-satoshi-nakamoto-bitcoin-freeze-wallets