Monat: November 2025

• SegWit wallets delay public key exposure until the point of transaction.
• Holding Bitcoin in SegWit addresses offers temporary protection if left untouched.
• Critics believe practical quantum computing remains decades away.

Quantum computing’s long-theorised threat to Bitcoin is resurfacing in the crypto conversation.

The idea that a powerful enough quantum machine could break cryptographic security and expose Bitcoin keys has moved from theoretical chatter to practical concern.

Bitcoin analyst Willy Woo recently suggested a short-term safeguard: store Bitcoin in SegWit addresses for the next seven years.

While the tactic has sparked debate, the broader community remains divided over whether quantum computers are a real, imminent threat or just the latest tech-driven scare.

SegWit offers delayed public key exposure

Segregated Witness (SegWit), introduced on 23 August 2017, is a protocol upgrade that changes how data is stored in Bitcoin transactions. Woo suggests that SegWit’s delayed public key exposure could act as a deterrent against quantum attacks.

Unlike Taproot, which exposes the public key immediately within the address, SegWit only reveals it during transaction execution.

This delay makes it harder for a quantum computer to reverse-engineer the private key from the public one before the transaction is completed.

Under current conditions, exposing a public key does not present much of a problem. However, if and when quantum computing advances to the point of real-time decryption capabilities, the exposure window of Taproot wallets could be a key vulnerability.

In contrast, SegWit’s hashing conceals the public key behind a layer of encryption until absolutely necessary. This may keep Bitcoin more secure during this anticipated transition period.

Hodling in SegWit comes with major constraints

While the SegWit method may offer protection, it carries a critical limitation. According to Woo, users must not move their Bitcoin from the SegWit address.

Any outgoing transaction would expose the public key, potentially inviting a quantum attack if executed during the transaction.

As such, this method is not viable for active traders or anyone needing liquidity in the short term. It is a static defence mechanism, not a dynamic solution.

This approach effectively puts Bitcoin in a vault. It is safe but inaccessible. It is also only as secure as the continued absence of real-time quantum decryption.

If a breakthrough comes earlier than anticipated, even SegWit-held coins could be compromised during withdrawal. Woo acknowledges that this is only an intermediary measure.

It is meant to bridge the gap until a quantum-resistant Bitcoin protocol becomes available.

Experts disagree over SegWit’s efficacy

Not everyone agrees that SegWit provides any meaningful protection. Charles Edwards, founder of digital asset fund Capriole, has dismissed the idea as ineffective.

He argues that SegWit is not a quantum-safe model and relying on it could delay necessary network upgrades.

According to Edwards, the belief that Bitcoin has a seven-year buffer period could create complacency, weakening pressure to accelerate work on quantum-resistant algorithms.

This disagreement underscores a broader lack of consensus in the crypto space on how seriously the community should take quantum risk.

Although protocol upgrades are under development, there is concern among developers that current initiatives are progressing too slowly.

Some argue that existing security layers were not built with quantum capabilities in mind, making them structurally vulnerable regardless of transaction format.

Sceptics say quantum fears are overblown

Despite the alarm, some in the community believe the risk is being overstated. Critics point to quantum computing’s persistent technical limitations.

In a post in February, Bitcoin advocate Adrian Morris claimed quantum tech is “barely viable”, citing issues with thermodynamics, memory, and persistent calculations.

Others argue that traditional financial systems and major banks would be far more attractive targets for early quantum attacks than a decentralised network like Bitcoin.

Woo notes that Bitcoin held by custodians, such as ETFs or treasury firms, may be better shielded in the interim. This is only true if those institutions take proactive steps to secure their holdings.

Until a comprehensive upgrade is implemented, the quantum debate will continue to shape discourse around Bitcoin’s long-term security.

The post Bitcoin faces quantum risk: why SegWit wallets may offer limited protection appeared first on CoinJournal.

• Bitcoin bounced back to trade near $106,000 on shutdown resolution hopes.
• The end of the shutdown could release a $150-200B liquidity jolt into markets.
• However, the shutdown is stalling crucial US crypto regulation bills.

Cryptocurrency markets started the week on a strong footing, with Bitcoin holding above the key $105,000 level as growing optimism around a potential resolution to the US government shutdown helped steady broader risk sentiment.

Following a volatile period, a weekend rally extended into Monday, with Bitcoin recovering from an early dip to trade near $106,000.

However, analysts warn that while an end to the shutdown could provide a short-term liquidity boost, the prolonged political impasse has created a significant, under-the-radar threat to the crypto industry’s long-term regulatory future.

The upbeat mood was felt across the asset spectrum.

In the crypto space, Ether traded just under $3,600, while XRP led gains among major altcoins, jumping 9% on anticipation of a potential spot ETF.

Crypto-related stocks, which suffered heavy losses last week, also rebounded strongly, with Coinbase (COIN) rising 4.1% and Robinhood (HOOD) gaining 4.8%.

The rally mirrored gains in traditional markets, where the S&P 500 climbed 1.6% and the Nasdaq rose 2.2%.

This recovery was largely fueled by growing confidence that the record-breaking 39-day government shutdown may be nearing an end, a sentiment bolstered by prediction market data and a weekend social media post from President Donald Trump.

The shutdown’s double-edged sword for crypto

While the market is cheering a potential resolution, the shutdown has created a complex “Jekyll and Hyde” scenario for the digital asset industry, according to David Nage, head of research at Arca.

In a Monday note, Nage explained the positive side: an end to the shutdown could release a massive liquidity injection of 150–200 billion from the Treasury General Account into bank reserves. Historically, such a jolt has been a major tailwind for risk assets like crypto.

However, there is a significant downside.

“The larger story for digital asset adoption over the next three to five years is being shaped behind the scenes… and the Banking Committee staff rooms are currently dark due to the shutdown,” Nage explained.

A race against time for US crypto regulation

The ongoing shutdown has completely stalled progress on crucial crypto legislation, including the CLARITY Act and the Senate’s digital asset market structure bill.

Nage warned that this delay poses a greater long-term threat to the industry than recent market volatility.

With the 2026 midterm elections approaching, the window for passing comprehensive digital asset regulation is closing.

“If comprehensive digital asset legislation is delayed until 2026 and then dies in midterm politics, the industry will miss out on the regulatory clarity needed to attract institutional capital and achieve sustainable growth,” Nage said.

He concluded that the timing is critical. “If the shutdown ends in November, we may benefit from both a liquidity injection and a legislative opportunity,” he said.

If it drags into December, the legislation may miss its window.

The post Bitcoin holds $106K as shutdown optimism fuels broad market rally appeared first on CoinJournal.