It’s Time for the Crypto Industry to Take the Threat of AI and Quantum Computing Seriously

Kostas Chalkias argues that the crypto industry is ignoring the looming, existential threats posed by Artificial Intelligence (AI) and quantum computing, which could undermine the entire concept of blockchain security. AI agents already pose risks through manipulation and fueling cybercrime, while quantum computers, potentially within a decade, could crack current encryption securing significant amounts of Bitcoin, especially in legacy wallets. Although Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards are emerging from bodies like NIST, many major protocols are prioritizing growth over responsible scaling and are not implementing quantum-resilient upgrades quickly enough. Only a few protocols, like Sui, Ethereum, and Algorand, are actively testing PQC. The author stresses that inaction risks systemic hacks, corrupted DeFi protocols, and the destruction of trust. The industry must immediately assess its cryptographic inventory, plan phased PQC rollouts, and foster deep collaborations with AI and quantum researchers to develop secure coexistence frameworks, ensuring that these powerful technologies become allies rather than threats.

(Source：CoinDesk)