According to recent reports, VanEck’s leadership has warned that rising quantum computing risks could force the firm to reduce or even exit its Bitcoin holdings. The firm’s CEO Jan van Eck said he would “walk away from Bitcoin if we think the thesis is fundamentally broken,” a line that has stirred debate across markets and crypto circles. Matt Sigel, VanEck’s head of digital-assets research, added that a narrow “window of uncertainty” could open if quantum machines reach a level that threatens current cryptography. VanEck Issues Stark Warning VanEck’s comments focus on the time between a credible quantum breakthrough and a full, network-wide migration to post-quantum signatures. Reports have disclosed that this gap could be dangerous because attackers could exploit the period to steal funds or undermine trust. Some researchers estimate that a careful migration might need about 76 days of highly coordinated action, a logistical challenge for a decentralized network that typically moves slowly on major changes. VanEck CEO Jan van Eck on CNBC: “There’s something else going on within the Bitcoin community that non-crypto people need to know about. And that is: ultimately, VanEck has been around before Bitcoin. We will walk away from Bitcoin if we think the thesis is fundamentally… pic.twitter.com/pCUtuqBVHD — Arjun Khemani (@arjunkhemani) November 22, 2025 Technical And Coordination Hurdles Bitcoin’s current cryptography relies on elliptic curve signatures. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could run known algorithms to derive private keys from public data. That is the technical fear. Based on reports, making Bitcoin “quantum safe” would likely mean adopting lattice-based or hash-based schemes and coordinating a hard fork. Coordination is hard because miners, exchanges, wallet makers, and node operators must all agree. That difficulty is the heart of the worry, not just the math. VanEck’s public stance is also a hedging move. The company has launched investment products tied to quantum technology, signaling it expects quantum computing to matter financially. VanEck CEO said the $BTC quantum risk and their readiness to dump it if the risk grows. We must quantum proof Bitcoin in 2026. — Ted (@TedPillows) November 22, 2025 At the same time, the CEO’s warning has put pressure on institutional players to reassess risk models and contingency plans. Some long-time Bitcoin holders are said to be looking at privacy coins that emphasize different cryptographic approaches. Market And Policy Implications If an institutional player with VanEck’s profile signals a possible exit, market confidence could shift quickly. Institutional flows matter. A scramble to move large holdings would increase price volatility and could trigger further sell orders. Regulatory and national security agencies have also been paying attention; guidance from some national cyber centers suggests critical systems should adopt post-quantum measures well before threats are immediate, with planning horizons that reach into the next decade. Featured image from Yuichiro Chino/Getty Images, chart from TradingView
