A Quantum Fork is Coming to Bitcoin | Alex Pruden & Philip Martin
This week, Alex Pruden & Philip Martin join the show to discuss Bitcoin's rising quantum threat. We deep dive into what is the risk from quantum, what to do with Satoshi's coins, will we see a Bitcoin fork, how does DeFi mitigate hacks, how to protect your privacy and more. Enjoy!
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Follow Philip: https://x.com/SecurityGuyPhil
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This episode is brought to you by Fidelity Crypto. Learn more at https://Fidelity.com/crypto
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Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction
(01:02) The Quantum Computing Risk
(08:50) Bitcoin’s Quantum Risk
(12:20) Fidelity Crypto Ad
(12:55) What To Do With Satoshi’s Coins?
(35:12) Fidelity Crypto Ad
(35:52) The Biggest Threat to Bitcoin
(38:35) How Does DeFi Mitigate Hacks?
(46:27) Are Stablecoins At Risk To Quantum?
(50:15) ZKsync Ad
(50:49) How To Secure Your Privacy
(54:57) What's The Timeline For Quantum?
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Disclaimer: Nothing said on Empire is a recommendation to buy or sell securities or tokens. This podcast is for informational purposes only, and any views expressed by anyone on the show are solely our opinions, not financial advice. Santiago, Jason, Rob and our guests may hold positions in the companies, funds, or projects discussed.
Quantum Could Break Bitcoin Sooner Than We Thought | Alex Pruden
Two new research papers just intensified one of crypto’s most serious long-term risks: quantum computing.
In this episode of The Defiant Podcast, Camila Russo sits down with Alex Pruden, co-founder and CEO of Project 11, to unpack what the latest quantum breakthroughs actually mean for Bitcoin, Ethereum, and the broader crypto ecosystem.
Alex explains why the new papers matter, how quantum computers could use Shor’s algorithm to break the cryptography behind blockchain ownership, why exposed public keys are especially vulnerable, and what “Q-Day” could look like if the industry is unprepared. He also breaks down the difference between theoretical progress and live quantum systems, why some chains may be vulnerable in different ways, and what post-quantum migration could realistically involve.
The takeaway: this is not just a technical curiosity. It is a foundational challenge for crypto, and one the industry may need to start addressing now.
Topics covered:
Why the new quantum papers are a big deal
How quantum computers could break Bitcoin and Ethereum
Why exposed public keys matter
What real-time attacks could look like
Whether faster blockchains are safer
What post-quantum cryptography can and can’t solve
Why Ethereum may be the furthest along in preparing
What Project 11 is building to help secure crypto before Q-Day
Q-Day Is Imminent. Can Bitcoin Survive the Quantum Threat?
Thank you to our sponsors!
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Post-quantum era focused blockchain builder Project Eleven has just raised $20 million from the industry's heavy hitters as concerns over Bitcoin's quantum readiness grow.
In this Unchained podcast episode, Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden delves into the urgency of the quantum threat to Bitcoin while highlighting which other blockchains are most at risk. He also shares what Project Eleven is focused on to help crypto prepare and the potential outcomes.
Listen to learn why Pruden believes implementing post-quantum cryptography would be the most significant upgrade blockchains have ever undergone and why a Bitcoin chain split is likely.
Guests:
Alex Pruden, CEO and Co-Founder of Project Eleven
Links:
Solana Deploys Post-Quantum Signatures on Testnet
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