Michael saylor argues that a quantum threat would force a global upgrade to quantum-resistant encryption, impacting all financial systems including bitcoin. this mandatory migration to new addresses would lead to a significant reduction in bitcoin's effective supply, as coins with lost keys or from deceased owners would be unable to migrate, thus being permanently removed from circulation.
Michael saylor is a well-known and respected figure in the bitcoin space. his argument is logically sound, considering both the global nature of a quantum threat and the technical implications of a forced migration that would effectively 'burn' inaccessible coins. the comparison to y2k highlights a historical precedent for mass software upgrades under existential threat.
The scenario suggests that bitcoin would adapt to the quantum threat through a mandatory upgrade. the most significant bullish factor is the projected reduction in bitcoin's available supply due to unmigrated coins becoming unusable, which would increase scarcity and potentially drive up value.
The development of quantum computing capable of breaking current encryption is still in its early stages and not an immediate threat. the proposed global migration and its subsequent impact on bitcoin's supply would unfold over an extended period, likely years or decades, making it a long-term catalyst.
Cover image via U.Today Read U.TODAY on Google News A bullish catalyst The quantum leap Advertisement Strategy CEO Michael Saylor claims that "quantum fears" could actually be uniquely bullish for Bitcoin. He reframes what is typically seen as an existential threat to Bitcoin as a catalyst for a massive upgrade and a price increase. A bullish catalyst Saylor argues that a quantum threat will not appear in a vacuum just for Bitcoin. It will be a global crisis that will affect every bank, government, and defense contractor simultaneously. The US government, Apple , Microsoft, and major banks will all force upgrades to "quantum-resistant" encryption standards. There will be no "block size war" style debate since the threat will be existential for everyone. He compares it to Y2K, a known deadline where everyone agrees they must upgrade the software or lose everything. HOT Stories Dave Portnoy Teases 'All In' Move if XRP Hits This Level Crypto Market Prediction: $2,500 Is Ethereum's Next Cushion, XRP Obviously Not Hitting $0, Bitcoin (BTC) H&S-Fueled Reversal on the Edge Key XRP Ledger Amendment Gets Activated Morning Crypto Report: Ripple CTO Drops 'Wow!' on Major XRP Milestone, Shiba Inu (SHIB) Nears 'Black Friday' Bottom, Bitcoin to $52,000? Don't Be Surprised, Bollinger Bands Warn You Might Also Like Wed, 12/17/2025 - 16:35 'Bitcoin Is Extremely Oversold': Tom Lee Hints at What's Next By Godfrey Benjamin Advertisement "Your bank will say... please install the new client software... if you don't, we're going to freeze your funds," he said. Saylor believes the Bitcoin network will effectively do the same: users will be required to move their coins to new, quantum-secure addresses. The quantum leap The business mogul predicts that the transition to quantum-secure addresses will result in a massive reduction in Bitcoin's available supply. Advertisement To protect your Bitcoin, you will have to sign a transaction with your old private key to move your coins to a new quantum-secure wallet. People who have lost their keys or who have died without passing them on cannot perform this migration. Once the network eventually renders the old vulnerable addresses unusable (or "frozen" in a sense of safety), the coins stuck in them are effectively removed from the ledger forever. If these coins are unable to migrate, the effective supply of Bitcoin drops to 16 million. #Bitcoin News #Michael Saylor