Musk raises new questions about the long-term security of Bitcoin in the context of the rapid development of quantum computing. This article is derived from a piece written by Bitcoinist, organized, translated, and authored by Blockchain Knight. (Background: Developers propose to freeze 1 million Bitcoins owned by Satoshi Nakamoto, three steps to address the quantum computer crisis) (Additional background: Could quantum computers expose 'Satoshi's footprint'? Adam Back: Let the dormant million Bitcoins speak) Musk raises new questions about the long-term security of Bitcoin against the backdrop of the rapid development of quantum computing. The CEO of Tesla and SpaceX explores the possibility of the SHA-256 hash algorithm used by Bitcoin being cracked by powerful quantum computers through his AI chatbot Grok. At the time he raised this question, IBM had just announced its major plan for the next-generation quantum system 'Blue Jay,' which is expected to achieve 2,000 global quantum bits by 2033. According to Grok's analysis, the risk of quantum computers cracking Bitcoin encryption in the next five years is extremely low, with AI estimating this probability to be close to zero. However, looking ahead to 2035, the probability will slightly increase, but will still be below 10%. This data is derived from expert assessments and current quantum computing capabilities. 'Based on assessments and expert surveys from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) and IBM's 2025 evaluation, the probability that quantum computers can crack SHA-256 using Grover's algorithm (reducing the complexity of searching for pre-images to about 2^128 operations) is close to 0% in the next 5 years and below 10% before 2035. This requires millions of qubits for error correction...' - Grok (@grok), August 2, 2025 Musk's concerns are not unfounded. Companies like Google and Microsoft are developing their own quantum platforms (Willow and Majorana 1), sparking discussions about whether cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin could be attacked by these super-powerful systems in the future. Currently, most quantum systems only have about 1,000 qubits, far below the millions of error-correcting qubits that scientists believe are necessary to crack Bitcoin's encryption defenses. Grok adds that if needed in the future, stronger algorithms like SHA-3 or SHA-512 could be adopted as alternatives. Meanwhile, a recent analysis by global audit firm Deloitte shows that quantum computers could soon threaten the security of the Bitcoin blockchain, with about 25% of Bitcoin currently facing the risk of being stolen by quantum attacks. Analysts have indicated that ultimately, the computing power of quantum computers could become strong enough to crack the entire transaction process. To mitigate this risk, the Bitcoin network needs to adopt post-quantum cryptography. This is an emerging but complex solution that cryptographers worldwide are currently exploring. IBM's new system 'Blue Jay' will have a gate operation capability of over 1 billion, far exceeding the performance range of current computers. This is a significant initiative for the company as it strives to be at the forefront of quantum computing in the early 2030s. With industry giants like Google and Microsoft in hot pursuit, competition is becoming increasingly fierce. Musk's attention is not purely academic. Tesla currently holds 11,500 Bitcoins, worth about $1.3 billion at current prices. SpaceX also holds a considerable amount, reportedly equivalent to about $850 million in Bitcoin. Musk himself has confirmed that he holds Bitcoin in his personal investment portfolio. Given the scale of these holdings, it is no wonder that Musk wants to proactively address potential threats. His tweet may seem casual, but it indicates the growing concern in the tech community about the impact that advances in quantum technology may have on cryptocurrencies and the financial sector. Related reports Adam Back on preventing quantum computers from 'cracking Bitcoin': Suggests using SLH-DSA integrated with Taproot Microsoft releases the world's first 'quantum chip' predicting the emergence of quantum computers in a few years, experts counter: Where's the evidence? Tether: It's too early for quantum computers to crack Bitcoin! But Satoshi Nakamoto's 1 million BTC is at risk in the future 'Musk raises a serious question: Can quantum computers crack Bitcoin?' This article was first published on BlockTempo (the most influential blockchain news media).