- Google’s latest study warns that quantum computers could break Bitcoin’s encryption way faster than expected.
- Mario Nawfal and Chamath Palihapitiya both raised alarms about crypto security, hinting gold might be the fallback.
- Goldman Sachs predicts gold could hit $3,880 by 2025 if recession fears and ETF demand keep rising.
Bitcoin‘s charging ahead—breaking new highs, stealing headlines—but there’s a quiet disruptor creeping up that could throw it all off balance. Enter quantum computing. Google’s latest study sounds the alarm, suggesting these machines might one day tear through Bitcoin’s encryption like tissue paper. And if that happens? Well, Bitcoin’s “digital gold” status might suddenly look a whole lot more fragile.
Google Drops a Bomb on Encryption Timelines
Google’s report isn’t your average whitepaper—it’s basically a reality check. They estimate a quantum computer with under a million noisy qubits could crush 2048-bit RSA encryption in just under a week. That’s terrifyingly faster than anyone expected. Mario Nawfal chimed in on X, saying quantum computers aren’t ready yet, but they’re speeding up. If they catch up before crypto systems adapt, we’re looking at real risk. Wallets, exchanges, even the backbone of blockchain security—vulnerable.
Bitcoin, Banks, and a Gold Comeback?
What makes this all worse? Heavyweights are taking it seriously. Chamath Palihapitiya reposted Nawfal’s concerns, noting if quantum disruption hits, the only thing left standing might be old-school hard assets like gold. That’s not just fear-mongering—it’s a signal that investor strategy might pivot big time. And that pivot may already be in motion.
Gold’s Golden Hour: $3,700 in Sight?
Speaking of gold, it’s quietly staging a comeback. Goldman Sachs now sees the shiny metal riding waves of inflation, recession fears, and geopolitical chaos. The bank’s latest forecast? A potential surge to $3,880 per ounce by the end of 2025, especially if ETF flows accelerate during a downturn. In a world spooked by quantum threats, the old-school safe haven could start to look like a pretty smart bet.