VanEck Raises Alarm Over Quantum Risks to Bitcoin
Jan van Eck, CEO of asset management giant VanEck, has warned that future quantum computers could potentially break the cryptographic security underpinning Bitcoin. While the technology is not yet capable of such an attack, he suggested that the risk is real enough to deserve serious attention.
According to van Eck, if it ever becomes clear that Bitcoin’s security is fundamentally broken at the protocol level, VanEck would be prepared to entirely abandon its exposure to BTC — even though its spot Bitcoin ETF has already attracted more than $1.2 billion in inflows.
The Real Question: When, Not If
Quantum computers capable of breaking today’s cryptography may still be years or even decades away, but progress in the field is accelerating. If practical quantum decryption becomes viable, it could theoretically crack the elliptic curve encryption used by Bitcoin, putting older wallets and dormant funds at particular risk.
This long-term uncertainty is one of the reasons large institutions are beginning to consider post-quantum alternatives and cryptographic upgrades across digital asset ecosystems.
Why Some Bitcoin Veterans Are Looking at Zcash
Van Eck also noted a growing trend among early Bitcoin supporters: a renewed interest in Zcash.
Built on advanced zero-knowledge proof technology, Zcash enables private, shielded transactions while still preserving an auditable and secure blockchain structure. With rising global concerns over surveillance, censorship and data privacy, assets offering built-in confidentiality are gaining relevance.
For some long-term crypto participants, ZEC is seen as:
• A more private alternative
• A technology-forward blockchain
• Better positioned for post-quantum development
• Aligned with the original cypherpunk vision
This does not necessarily mean a rejection of Bitcoin — but rather diversification in preparation for a changing technological future.
The Dilemma for Bitcoin Maximalists
Bitcoin’s largest strength — its conservative, unchanging nature — could also be its biggest weakness in the face of disruptive technologies. Unlike newer blockchains, Bitcoin moves slowly in terms of upgrades, and any change to its cryptography would require near-unanimous consensus.
This creates a potential dilemma: maintain maximum stability, or adapt to survive quantum-era threats.
A Wake-Up Call for the Entire Market
VanEck’s warning is not necessarily a prediction of imminent danger. Rather, it is a reminder that no technology is immune to exponential innovation. As computing power grows, digital assets will need to evolve, or risk obsolescence.
For now, Bitcoin remains secure and dominant. But the conversation around quantum resistance and privacy-focused alternatives like Zcash is accelerating.
