Over 30% of Bitcoin supply at risk from quantum exposure
May 22, 2026
A recent report from Glassnode suggested that over 30% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply is potentially vulnerable to quantum computing attacks while being at rest. The report highlighted that major cryptocurrency exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, and Gemini have varying levels of exposure to this risk, with Glassnode finding that exchange wallet-management practices and address reuse are significant factors contributing to this exposure.
Specifically, according to Glassnode’s analysis, Bitcoin balances on exchanges like Binance and Bitfinex are recorded to have 100% exposure, indicating a significant risk. In contrast, Coinbase showed lower exposure levels at just 5%, suggesting comparatively better security measures in place. The report identified public keys visible on-chain as the main indicator of potential quantum exposure, with roughly 6.04 million Bitcoin, amounting to 30.2% of the total supply, falling into this category.
Moreover, Glassnode’s data revealed that exchange-related balances make up around 8.3% of the total Bitcoin supply, with Coinbase exhibiting limited exposure compared to other exchanges. The report emphasized the importance of addressing operational quantum exposure stemming from wallet-management practices and address reuse to mitigate potential risks to Bitcoin’s security in the long term.
The quantum threat to Bitcoin primarily revolves around the visibility of public keys associated with BTC addresses on-chain. While Bitcoin addresses typically conceal public keys through cryptographic hashes until coins are spent, certain wallet structures and address reuse practices can inadvertently expose public keys, making the stored coins susceptible to quantum computing attacks in the future. Glassnode classified this vulnerability into two categories: structural exposure and operational exposure.
Structural exposure pertains to coins inherently vulnerable due to wallet design or certain address structures, accounting for approximately 1.92 million BTC. Conversely, operational exposure, manifesting through user behavior and custody management practices, represents a larger portion of the vulnerable supply at 4.12 million Bitcoin. The report suggested that operational exposure can potentially be reversed through enhanced security practices, highlighting the importance of proactive measures in safeguarding Bitcoin against quantum threats.
While the quantum risks associated with Bitcoin have gained renewed attention following a surge in quantum-computing stocks fueled by an equity investment announcement by the Trump administration, industry experts like Michael Saylor and Adam Back caution against overreacting to the immediate threat posed by quantum computing. They warn that premature fixes could introduce unforeseen risks and complexities into Bitcoin’s security model.
In summary, the quantum rally on Wall Street has reignited discussions around Bitcoin’s long-term security vulnerabilities, emphasizing the need for comprehensive approaches to address potential quantum threats. As investors flock to quantum-computing names, the focus on enhancing Bitcoin’s quantum resistance through robust security measures becomes imperative to ensure the cryptocurrency’s resilience in the face of evolving technological challenges.
