Bitcoin Has Faced New Quantum Computing Risks
VanEck's Matthew Sigel warned that current cryptographic standards may be vulnerable to future quantum advancements.
Updated on Sept. 18, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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VanEck head of digital assets research Matthew Sigel stated that Bitcoin faces long-term risks from quantum computing. The assertion highlights vulnerabilities in the existing cryptography that secures the network.
Why it matters
Bitcoin upgrades move slowly due to its decentralized governance and lack of a central leader. Addressing these cryptographic threats requires a difficult, consensus-driven network upgrade.
Bitcoin relies on cryptographic protocols that are susceptible to future quantum computing decryption. Developers are currently exploring frameworks to transition the network to quantum-resistant standards.
The players
Matthew Sigel
He serves as the head of digital assets research at the investment management firm VanEck.
VanEck
This investment management firm is known for its research into digital assets and crypto-based financial products.
CNBC
This American news organization provides financial reporting and broadcasts business-related interviews.
The details
While the Bitcoin developer community is aware of these threats and is actively researching upgrade frameworks, the decentralized nature of the project complicates rapid implementation. Market participants continue to manage risk through regulated U.S. capital markets and CME futures.
Timeline
September 17, 2026: Matthew Sigel discussed the risks in an interview with CNBC.
The Tech Race
The potential shift to quantum-resistant cryptography follows historical patterns where Bitcoin developers must eventually modernize legacy security protocols. This mirrors the ongoing industry-wide race to secure digital assets against next-generation computing threats.
Retail investors holding Bitcoin should note that while the network is currently secure, future protocol upgrades may impact how digital assets are transacted or stored. Monitoring updates from the developer community remains essential for long-term risk management.
The takeaway
Bitcoin remains a decentralized experiment that must adapt its core security to survive technological advancements. Investors should balance the current utility of crypto assets against the long-term necessity for network-wide cryptographic upgrades.
Further reading
For more information on emerging security threats, visit the Quantum Computing section.
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