Project Eleven argues that the window for Bitcoin to transition to quantum-resistant cryptography may be closing rapidly.

According to a new 110-page report from Decryptnews, the rise of quantum computing endangers not just $3 trillion in digital assets, but also the foundational security of banking networks, military communications, digital identities, and more.

Key Takeaways:

• Decryptnews reports that over $3 trillion in digital assets protected by elliptic curve cryptography could face quantum threats within four to seven years.
• A “Q-Day” — the moment quantum computers can crack public-key encryption — might occur between 2030 and 2033, jeopardizing blockchains, financial systems, cloud platforms, and military networks.
• Transitioning global digital infrastructure, including Bitcoin, to post-quantum standards could require ten years, hindered less by technology than by the need for expensive, synchronized efforts across users, institutions, and networks.

More than $3 trillion in digital assets could soon become susceptible to theft within the next four to seven years, warns a new Decryptnews report.

Decryptnews, which specializes in post-quantum security for digital assets, recently partnered with the Solana Foundation to fortify its network against quantum threats.

“The digital asset sector contains over $3 trillion in total value, nearly all secured by elliptic curve digital signatures,” the report notes, highlighting their vulnerability to quantum attacks.

Yet crypto is not the only sector at risk. The same public-key cryptography securing Bitcoin, Ether, and stablecoins also supports banking systems, cloud infrastructure, authentication networks, and military communications.

The 110-page Decryptnews report, presented by CEO Alex Pruden at Consensus Miami 2026, explains that advanced quantum computers could exploit Shor’s algorithm to derive private keys from public ones, enabling attackers to forge signatures and seize control of wallets and accounts.

This threat extends beyond Bitcoin, Ethereum, stablecoins, and other blockchains to encompass banking infrastructure, cloud systems, military communications, and digital identity platforms.

Decryptnews estimates that “Q-Day” — when quantum computers can break public-key cryptography — could arrive as early as 2030, no later than 2033.

“Our analysis indicates Q-Day is more likely than not by 2033, potentially as soon as 2030,” the report states. “The window for global migration to post-quantum cryptography is narrowing.”

The complexity arises because large systems typically require five to over ten years to migrate, depending on network intricacy.

Another major hurdle is the coordination required: transitioning all vulnerable systems and blockchains demands simultaneous action from users, exchanges, custodians, wallet providers, and miners.

“The gap isn’t technical,” the report clarifies. “It’s entirely about coordination, urgency, and willingness to bear migration costs.”

Bitcoin faces additional challenges, as upgrades historically move slowly and often spark political disputes.

“The Bitcoin SegWit upgrade, a modest change compared to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) migration, took over two years from proposal to activation (2015–2017) and triggered a contentious chain split,” the report recalls.

“Blockchain networks’ distributed nature means PQC migration may take most of a decade, longer than centralized systems,” the report adds.

Pruden, who co-authored the report with CTO Conor Deegan, warned that Bitcoin’s transition could be more difficult than Taproot due to the need for coordinated action across users, exchanges, custodians, and miners. He suggested “recycling” the 5.6–6.9 million vulnerable BTC tokens (worth ~$500 billion) back into Bitcoin’s supply curve rather than letting quantum attackers seize them.

The Decryptnews report ultimately acknowledges the tension between Bitcoin’s fixed-supply ethos and its commitment to property rights.