The Blockspace Pod: Unraveling Bitcoin's Quantum Problem episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 10, 2026 · 19 MIN

The Blockspace Pod: Unraveling Bitcoin's Quantum Problem

from CoinDesk Podcast Network · host CoinDesk

Charlie Spears explores the existential threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin. Shor’s algorithm and the heated debate surrounding Satoshi’s 1 million BTC stash. We break down the difference between bits and qubits, explain why Shor's algorithm threatens elliptic curve cryptography, and debate the fate of Satoshi's vulnerable coins. It’s a deep dive into encryption, timeline predictions, and the massive coordination challenge facing the Bitcoin network to upgrade before it's too late. Subscribe to the newsletter: https://newsletter.blockspacemedia.com Notes: * Satoshi has ~1M quantum vulnerable BTC. * 2-4 million total BTC are currently exposed. * 10-20% of supply is vulnerable to Shor's algo. * Breaking BTC needs ~4,000 logical qubits. * Google’s Willow chip has 105 physical qubits. * NIST finalized quantum standards in 2024. Timestamps: 00:00 Start 01:02 Overview 05:08 The Algorithm 10:59 Satoshi's Coins 13:09 How Long Do We Have? 15:18 Where Do We Stand? 17:22 Post Quantum Migration - 👋The Blockspace Pod is produced Blockspace Media, Bitcoin’s first B2B publication in Bitcoin. Follow us on Twitter and check out our newsletter for the best information in Bitcoin mining, Ordinals and tech! Enjoy the show? Check out our website and newsletter by clicking here. Questions or want to sponsor? [email protected]

Episode metadata supplied by the publisher feed · Published Jan 10, 2026

Embed this episode

NOW PLAYING

The Blockspace Pod: Unraveling Bitcoin's Quantum Problem

0:00 19:58

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

No similar episodes found.

No similar podcasts found.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of CoinDesk Podcast Network?

This episode is 19 minutes long.

When was this CoinDesk Podcast Network episode published?

This episode was published on January 10, 2026.

Can I download this CoinDesk Podcast Network episode?

Yes. Use the download control on the episode player to save the publisher-provided media file.
URL copied to clipboard!