Is Quantum About to Break Bitcoin?

About this episode

The episode discusses the implications of quantum computing on Bitcoin and cryptography with expert Christopher Steven Smith.

Two years ago, quantum computing was a “someday problem.” Now NVIDIA is lobbying Congress. Ethereum is funding post-quantum research. Coinbase has launched a Quantum Advisory Board. So the question isn’t theoretical anymore. What happens to Bitcoin when quantum computers become powerful enough to crack today’s cryptography? In Episode 803, we sit down with Christopher Steven Smith, CEO and co-founder of Quantus, a quantum-secure Layer 1 blockchain built using NIST-backed post-quantum cryptography. We cover: • What quantum computing actually is (without melting your brain) • How qubits differ from classical bits • Why elliptic curve cryptography may be vulnerable • Whether Bitcoin can realistically fork to quantum resistance • The risk to old wallets (including Satoshi’s coins) • Post-quantum signatures like Dilithium • Reversible transactions and whether they break crypto ethos • Whether the “digital gold” narrative was a strategic mistake Is quantum an overhyped sci-fi scare tactic? Or is it the next existential threat nobody is pricing in? This is a sponsored episode. As always, we disclose that…

People in this episode

Hosts: Joel Comm, Travis Wright

Guest: Christopher Steven Smith

Topics covered

• quantum computing
• cryptography
• Bitcoin
• blockchain
• post-quantum research
• security

Keywords

• quantum computing
• Bitcoin
• cryptography
• NVIDIA
• Ethereum
• Coinbase
• post-quantum
• Dilithium
• security

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: NVIDIA, Ethereum, Coinbase, Quantus, NIST

Products: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Dilithium

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