News View Non-AMP

Vitalik Buterin Warns, Quantum Computers Could Break Crypto by 2040

Published by
Rizwan Ansari and Sohrab Khawas

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has raised fresh concerns about the future of cryptography in the age of quantum computing. Vitalik warns that quantum computers could break today’s cryptography by around 2040, with roughly a 20% chance that this could happen before 2030.

Why Quantum Matters for Crypto

Cryptography isn’t just about passwords or private emails, it secures the entire digital economy. From online banking to cryptocurrency wallets and smart contracts, all rely on algorithms designed to resist attacks from classical computers. 

A powerful quantum machine could, however, crack these defenses far faster, putting everything from financial assets to personal data at risk.

Ian Miers Raises the Concern of Soundness

Ian Miers explained that the real issue isn’t just the possibility of a future attacker decrypting old data. Instead, the deeper concern is soundness, ensuring that cryptographic systems, including blockchains, remain trustworthy even against the power of quantum computing.

He pointed out that STARKs, a cryptographic proof system, may be pushed to evolve into more zero-knowledge (zk) structures. This shift could come as they compete with post-quantum sound and zk schemes, but he left an open question: Will those incentives be enough to ensure long-term safety?

Vitalik Buterin Brings Forecasts Into the Conversation

Responding to Miers, Vitalik Buterin highlighted predictions from forecasting platform Metaculus. According to its data, the median estimate for when quantum computers could break today’s cryptography is 2040, though there is about a 20% chance this happens before 2030.

This reminder underscores that while the threat may not feel immediate, it’s close enough on the horizon to demand serious attention today.

Building a Post-Quantum Future

Despite the risks, the crypto community is not standing still. Researchers are already working on post-quantum cryptography, new algorithms designed to survive quantum attacks. 

At the same time, zk-proofs and STARKs continue to evolve, showing promise for more resilient systems.

FAQs

What is the quantum computing threat to crypto?

Quantum computers could break the cryptography securing blockchains and digital wallets by 2040, with a 20% chance it happens before 2030, risking all digital assets.

What does ‘soundness’ mean in quantum crypto?

Soundness ensures cryptographic systems like blockchains remain trustworthy and secure even against the superior processing power of future quantum computers.

How is the crypto community preparing?

Researchers are developing post-quantum cryptography and advancing zero-knowledge proof systems like STARKs to create quantum-resistant algorithms and blockchains.

Are current cryptocurrencies quantum-safe?

No. Current crypto like Bitcoin and Ethereum rely on classical cryptography. The community is actively working on post-quantum solutions to future-proof digital assets.

Rizwan Ansari and Sohrab Khawas

Rizwan is an experienced Crypto journalist with almost half a decade of experience covering everything related to the growing crypto industry — from price analysis to blockchain disruption. During this period, he’s authored more than 3,000 news articles for Coinpedia News.

Trust with CoinPedia:

CoinPedia has been delivering accurate and timely cryptocurrency and blockchain updates since 2017. All content is created by our expert panel of analysts and journalists, following strict Editorial Guidelines based on E-E-A-T (Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, Trustworthiness). Every article is fact-checked against reputable sources to ensure accuracy, transparency, and reliability. Our review policy guarantees unbiased evaluations when recommending exchanges, platforms, or tools. We strive to provide timely updates about everything crypto & blockchain, right from startups to industry majors.

Investment Disclaimer:

All opinions and insights shared represent the author's own views on current market conditions. Please do your own research before making investment decisions. Neither the writer nor the publication assumes responsibility for your financial choices.

Sponsored and Advertisements:

Sponsored content and affiliate links may appear on our site. Advertisements are marked clearly, and our editorial content remains entirely independent from our ad partners.

Recent Posts

Polygon (MATIC) Price Prediction 2025, 2026 – 2030: Will MATIC Price Surge to $1?

Story Highlights The live price of the Polygon coin is . POL price predictions for…

October 8, 2025

XRP News Today : Ripple Advocate Bill Morgan Highlights Reliance’s $17M XRP Investment

Reliance Global Group (Nasdaq: RELI), a U.S.-listed insurance and financial services firm, recently revealed in…

October 8, 2025

‘Rich Dad Poor Dad’ Author Warns of “End of US Dollar,” Crypto, Gold and Silver to Surge

With markets hitting record highs, investors may feel confident. But author of “Rich Dad Poor…

October 8, 2025

Paydax (PDP) To Launch The First Community-Driven Bank That Will Change How People Use Crypto Forever

For decades, people have trusted banks to keep their money safe, yet those same institutions…

October 8, 2025

Why Cardano (ADA) Price Stays Flat While ETH, SOL, XRP Rally

Cardano’s native token ADA has been stuck between $0.80 and $0.95 for the past two…

October 8, 2025

Plasma (XPL) Price Under Strain as Volume Surges—Could a 20% Pullback Be Imminent?

Plasma (XPL) has entered a volatile phase, with prices retreating even as trading volume spikes…

October 8, 2025