Frank Giustra, a billionaire from Canada, has raised alarms about the potential threats that quantum computing and artificial intelligence (AI) pose to Bitcoin (BTC).
In a post on X dated March 8, he expressed skepticism about the cryptocurrency’s chances of surviving the next five years.
This statement was made in reaction to a video featuring Jack Dorsey, co-founder of Block, and Michael Saylor, executive chairman of Strategy.
Centuries? They will be lucky to survive AI and Quantum computing in the next 5 years.
— Frank Giustra (@Frank_Giustra) March 8, 2026
The video clip shared by Maestro—a provider of Bitcoin infrastructure—showed Saylor discussing Bitcoin’s self-custody feature. He argued that this aspect gives it an ethical edge over many digital assets and supports his belief that it could last for a hundred years.
Dorsey supported this viewpoint by pointing out Bitcoin’s deliberate upgrade process compared to quicker alternatives like Ethereum (ETH), suggesting that such an approach could enable it to serve as an internet-native currency for billions over decades.
Interestingly, both experts were optimistic about Bitcoin’s long-term value appreciation spanning centuries.
Giustra refuted their claims regarding its longevity. He stated that given rapid technological advancements threatening security measures today, it’s unrealistic to expect such durability; he believes Bitcoin will be fortunate if it survives AI and quantum computing challenges within five years.
A financier with deep ties in mining and a long-time advocate for gold investments, Giustra has often criticized Bitcoin as being more speculative than reliable as a store of value. He argues its transparent blockchain may expose it more readily to government interventions compared with physical gold holdings.
His primary concern revolves around how quantum computing might jeopardize Bitcoin’s security through algorithms like Shor’s algorithm. This could potentially allow hackers to derive private keys from public ones exposed on the network and compromise elliptic curve signatures used in transactions.
An estimated quarter of all Bitcoins—including those held in older or inactive addresses—could become vulnerable should sufficiently advanced quantum computers emerge soon enough.
Advancements in Quantum Computing
The ongoing progress within quantum technology has fueled discussions surrounding these risks. Companies such as Google, IBM, Quantinuum, and PsiQuantum have reported improvements related to qubit counts along with gate fidelity while PsiQuantum is hastening construction efforts on large-scale facilities dedicated to this technology development.
Nevertheless, most experts agree we are still several years away from having quantum computers capable enough to threaten cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin directly. Some researchers—including Ethan Heilman who co-authored BIP-360—believe there is roughly seven years left for meaningful upgrades towards achieving significant resistance against potential quantum attacks if developments commence promptly across networks requiring coordination among users globally.
BIP-360, titled Pay-to-Merkle-Root, was introduced into review at February 2026 within repositories designated specifically for proposals aimed at improving bitcoin systems designed primarily focused upon addressing vulnerabilities associated with public keys similar too Taproot whilst eliminating pathways susceptible toward exploitation via emerging technologies relating directly towards future computational capabilities seen coming down pipeline.BIP-360 ....
This proposal remains unactivated yet likely necessitates additional recommendations alongside extended community consensus periods before implementation occurs fully throughout entire ecosystems involved here overall .
Current industry estimates—including insights provided by Citi Institute —indicate probabilities ranging between nineteen percent up until thirty-four percent likelihood concerning widespread breaches affecting public-key infrastructures occurring sometime prior reaching end year two thousand thirty-four while continuing rising further beyond reaching twenty forty-four mark ahead .
Most cybersecurity specialists alongside blockchain analysts emphasize proactive preparations rather than forecasting imminent failures; similarly reflecting cautious approaches taken also reflected through governmental initiatives indicating timelines targeting transitions necessary ensuring critical infrastructures remain secure transitioning safely toward adopting new standards considered “quantum-safe” anticipated arriving somewhere between twenty thirty onwards until twenty thirty-five timeframe projected .