About this episode

Nic Carter discusses the implications of quantum computing on Bitcoin and the politics surrounding its post-quantum transition.

Less than nine months ago, investor and researcher Nic Carter sparked one of the most heated debates in Bitcoin's recent history — when he published a series of essays arguing that the network should prepare for its post-quantum transition sooner rather than later. While the essays broadly persuaded investors and institutions, many of Bitcoin's technical leaders dismissed them as alarmist — that is, until Google's quantum resource estimates were updated just a few months later. Crediting Google's paper with "shifting the Overton Window" on quantum and strengthening the case for post-quantum preparation, Nic shares his thoughts on the delicate politics surrounding this transition — and how he believes a quantum attack, and response, could potentially play out in practice. In more detail, this special episode of Bitcoin Rails X MARA Foundation TV covers: •⁠ ⁠How a quantum attack against Bitcoin, and Bitcoin's response, could unfold in practice •⁠ ⁠Whether a state actor could facilitate "benevolent" quantum recovery without requiring a contentious fork •⁠ ⁠The constitutional tradeoffs posed by abandoned quantum-vulnerable coins, including Satoshi's Coins •⁠ ⁠How Bitcoin's…

More episodes of Bitcoin Rails | Isabel Foxen Duke

• Zero-Knowledge Proofs For Post-Quantum Bitcoin | BENEDIKT BÜNZ · July 14, 2026 · 1h 44m
• The Birth of Flare Gas Mining | STEPHEN BARBOUR · July 7, 2026 · 1h 49m
• Not Your Keys, Not Your AI | ERIK CASON & JESSE POSNER · June 23, 2026 · 1h 21m
• BIP 110 & The Future of Soft Forks | SUPER TESTNET · June 16, 2026 · 1h 29m

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the Bitcoin Rails | Isabel Foxen Duke podcast page.