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▲ Bitcoin (BTC), Quantum Computer/AI Generated Image
Bitcoin holdings that had been dormant for 10 years have moved. Analysis suggests that a whale escape rally has begun as the threat of quantum computer hacking becomes a reality. This movement occurred shortly after a report stated that 6.04 million BTC, or 30.2% of the total Bitcoin supply, could be vulnerable to future quantum attacks.
According to the crypto media outlet U.Today on May 20 (local time), Maartunn, an analyst at on-chain analytics platform CryptoQuant, detected a transaction in which 500 BTC, dormant for over 10 years, were transferred to a new address for the first time. This activity appeared as an isolated green surge signal, and this unusual whale movement coincided with the release of a major research report in the quantum technology sector.
According to a Bitcoin (BTC) quantum security report by crypto analytics firm Glassnode, 6.04 million BTC, or 30.2% of the total market supply, are exposed to quantum attack risk due to practices such as exposed public keys in wallets and address reuse, similar to addresses from the Satoshi Nakamoto era. Quantum computers can only derive private keys if the public key is already exposed on-chain. Among exchange holdings, approximately 1.66 million BTC fall into this risk category, with 5% of Coinbase's holdings, 85% of Binance's, and nearly 100% of Bitfinex's being classified as vulnerable assets.
The fact that the quantum computing industry is evolving beyond a mere laboratory stage to a deployment stage has compelled whales to act. Saudi Aramco, in partnership with Pasqal, has launched a cloud-based access platform service for Saudi Arabia's first quantum computer, equipped with 200 programmable qubits. IBM also declared the beginning of the era of quantum utility and presented a concrete roadmap to achieve quantum advantage by the end of this year, followed by the construction of an error-correctable Quantum Starling system.
As experts' warnings become a reality, long-term holders' vigilance is escalating. Quantum computing expert Scott Aaronson warned that cryptographic systems would face realistic hacking threats. Adam Back, founder of Blockstream, pointed out that Bitcoin should prepare for quantum threats in advance through selective upgrades.
Ultimately, technological changes that could shake the foundation of the Bitcoin network appear to be the direct trigger forcing long-term investors to move their wallets. As concerns grow that the cryptographic technology protecting Bitcoin could become vulnerable to sufficiently advanced quantum computers, large holders are opting for proactive fund evacuation instead of long-term stagnation.
*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*
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