In cryptocurrency markets, long-term technological risks have come to the fore again after Google’s latest announcement about quantum computer technology. While there was no significant difference in the prices of bitcoin and ether, the leading cryptocurrencies, interest and activity in projects described as resistant to quantum attacks came to the fore.
New security concerns against quantum computers
Google’s Quantum Artificial Intelligence team suggested on Monday that an advanced quantum computer could break the elliptic curve cryptography on which bitcoin is based, with a lower-than-expected qubit capacity of less than 500 thousand. Although it seems like it will take longer to reach this level compared to previous estimates, the updated figure led to discussion of the durability of blockchain infrastructures.
The research states that a sufficiently powerful quantum machine could compromise the Bitcoin network in just nine minutes. In a separate evaluation, it was highlighted that Ethereum contains vulnerabilities against various attack methods and this could put approximately $100 billion in assets at risk. It is noteworthy that these include decentralized finance applications and token-based assets.
Although quantum computers at this level do not exist today, the possibility that this technology may emerge within a few years remains on the agenda of the market.
Increased interest in quantum resilient projects
In the last 24 hours, investor interest has been observed in crypto projects, especially those that highlight the search for future security and develop post-quantum cryptography methods. The total market value of such digital assets increased by 8 percent, reaching 4.66 billion dollars.
It is known that Zcash (ZEC) stands out with its developments in this field. Although it does not yet use fully quantum-resistant algorithms, it is evaluated under this category in data platforms with its advanced cryptographic foundations such as zero-knowledge proof and future post-quantum security research. Although it does not currently provide full protection, the ZEC ecosystem stands out with its quantum awareness.
Although these risks remain mainly at the theoretical level, their impact on market behavior has been felt for the last year. Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, stated that these concerns played a role in the divergence of bitcoin compared to the stock market in the second half of 2025, and that the cryptocurrency fell from 126 thousand dollars to 80 thousand dollars towards the end of the year.
“We are already observing that quantum risk has begun to have an impact on the bitcoin price. This stands out as the main reason why bitcoin has fallen 50 percent against the S&P 500 and 90 percent against gold,” the report included in its evaluation.
During the same period, ZEC, the most prominent among quantum resistant assets, gained more than 1,200 percent in the second half of the year, reaching the level of $ 744.
