The crypto industry is once again facing the question of post-quantum security. Security researchers warn that artificial intelligence may accelerate quantum-computing development and bring forward the point at which today’s encryption systems become unreliable. The issue is not limited to Bitcoin or Ethereum. It also affects broader internet infrastructure that depends on similar cryptographic assumptions.

The core risk is elliptic-curve cryptography. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could theoretically derive private keys from public keys, threatening old wallets, blockchain accounts and encrypted systems. Such machines do not exist yet, but experts argue that AI is speeding up research in areas such as quantum error correction and advanced materials.

Another concern is “collect now, decrypt later.” Governments or sophisticated attackers may already be storing encrypted internet traffic in the hope of decrypting it once quantum systems become strong enough. For crypto networks, that means post-quantum migration cannot wait until a live attack is possible.

Several ecosystems are already exploring responses. Ethereum, Zcash, Solana, Ripple and NEAR are researching or implementing post-quantum strategies. But migration will be difficult: post-quantum algorithms are often larger, slower and require changes across wallets, accounts and infrastructure. The broader message from researchers is clear: digital security can no longer remain static.