According to a recent report, VanEck’s management warned that increasing quantum computing risks could lead the company to reduce its Bitcoin holdings or even exit them.
The company’s CEO, Jan van Eck, said “I would step away from Bitcoin if I thought the theory was fundamentally broken,” which sparked debate in the market and cryptocurrency circles.
Matt Sigel, head of digital asset research at VanEck, added that a narrow “window of uncertainty” could open up if quantum machines reach a level that currently threatens cryptography.
VanEck issues strong warning
VanEck’s comments focus on the time between the trusted quantum revolution and a full migration to network-wide post-quantum signatures.
The report says this gap can be dangerous because attackers can exploit this period to steal funds or undermine trust.
Some researchers estimate that a deliberate migration may require highly coordinated action over about 76 days. This is a logistical problem for decentralized networks, which are typically slow to make major changes.
VanEck CEO Jan van Eck said on CNBC:
“There is something else happening in the Bitcoin community that non-cryptocurrency people should be aware of.
And that’s ultimately VanEck existed before Bitcoin. We would step away from Bitcoin if we thought the thesis was fundamentally… pic.twitter.com/pCUtuqBVHD
— Arjun Khemani (@arjunkhemani) November 22, 2025
Technical and Coordination Obstacles
Bitcoin’s current encryption relies on elliptic curve signatures. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could run known algorithms to derive private keys from public data.
That is technological fear. According to the report, making Bitcoin “quantum safe” would likely mean adopting a grid-based or hash-based scheme and orchestrating a hard fork.
BTCUSD trading at $86,216 on the 24-hour chart: TradingView
Coordination is difficult because miners, exchanges, wallet creators, and node operators all have to agree. The difficulty isn’t just math, it’s the crux of the worry.
VanEck’s public stance is also a hedging move. The company has launched investment products related to quantum technology, indicating that it expects quantum computing to be financially significant.
CEO VanEck said: $BTC We are prepared to abandon them as quantum risks and dangers grow.
We need to quantum proof Bitcoin in 2026.
— Ted (@TedPillows) November 22, 2025
At the same time, the CEO’s warning put pressure on agency officials to reevaluate risk models and emergency plans. Some long-time Bitcoin holders are said to be considering privacy coins that emphasize different cryptographic approaches.
Market and Policy Implications
Market confidence could change quickly if an institutional player with VanEck’s profile signals a possible exit. Institutional flow is important. The scramble to move large holdings could increase price volatility and trigger additional sell orders.
Regulators and national security agencies are also paying attention. Guidance from some national cyber centers suggests that critical systems should adopt reactive quantum measures well before threats occur immediately, with planning horizons reaching into the next decade.
Featured image by Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images, chart by TradingView
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