Quantum computing could break Bitcoin and other blockchain networks

Emerging technologies, including quantum computing, could potentially render the cryptography securing Bitcoin (BTC) and other blockchain networks ineffective, asset manager BlackRock (BLK) said in a regulatory filing.

On May 9, BlackRock updated the registration statement for its iShares Bitcoin ETF (IBIT). The revised version addressed potential risks to the integrity of the Bitcoin network posed by quantum computing, the filing shows.

“[I]f quantum computing technology is able to advance […] it could potentially undermine the viability of many of the cryptographic algorithms used across the world’s information technology infrastructure, including the cryptographic algorithms used for digital assets like bitcoin,” BlackRock stated.

This is the first time the asset manager has explicitly flagged this risk in its IBIT disclosures. The IBIT ETF is the largest spot Bitcoin ETF, with approximately $64 billion in net assets, according to its website.

Quantum computing is an emergent field that endeavors to apply the principles of quantum mechanics to greatly enhance computers’ processing capabilities.

Record-breaking inflows

James Seyffart, an analyst for Bloomberg Intelligence, cautioned that risk disclosures such as IBIT’s are mandated to highlight every conceivable risk to an asset, even those that are extremely unlikely.

“They are going to highlight any potential thing that can go wrong with any product they list or the underlying asset that’s being invested in,” Seyffart said in a May 9 X post. “It's completely standard. And honestly [it] makes complete sense.”

Since their launch in January, Bitcoin ETFs have collectively realized more than $41 billion in net inflows, according to data from Farside Investors.

On May 8, Bitcoin ETF net inflows surpassed all-time highs of around $40 billion, according to Bloomberg Intelligence.

“Lifetime net flows is #1 most imp metric to watch IMO, very hard to grow, pure truth, no bs,” Bloomberg Intelligence analyst Eric Balchunas said in a May 9 X post. “Impressive, they were able to make it to a new high water mark so soon after the world was supposed to end.”

In February, Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino predicted that quantum computing would eventually enable hackers to break into inactive Bitcoin wallets and recover the dormant coins.

“Any Bitcoin in lost wallets, including Satoshi (if not alive), will be hacked and put back in circulation,” Ardoino stated in a Feb. 8 X post.