Analyst Willy Woo: SegWit Can Shield Bitcoin From Quantum Computers
Popular Bitcoin analyst Willy Woo has outlined a temporary strategy to protect Bitcoin from the future threat of quantum computing. He urges holders to keep their BTC in SegWit-compatible wallets for the next several years until a fully quantum-resistant protocol is implemented.
Why Quantum Computers Pose a Risk
Quantum computers use qubits instead of classical bits, allowing them to solve certain cryptographic problems much faster than traditional machines. In theory, a sufficiently advanced quantum processor could reverse Bitcoin’s elliptic-curve encryption, reveal private keys, and gain access to funds. Though no machine today is capable of this, progress in the field has sparked concern throughout the crypto industry.Woo’s “Interim Defense” Plan
In a series of posts on X, Willy Woo proposed a simple yet effective precaution: store coins on SegWit addresses for approximately seven years. These modern address formats hide public keys until a transaction is made, making them harder targets for future quantum attacks. The approach buys time for developers to design and deploy a true post-quantum signature scheme for Bitcoin.“Quantum computers are coming, but so is quantum-resistant cryptography,” Woo noted. “The best we can do today is minimize exposure by using SegWit and keeping funds dormant until the network upgrades.”
A Seven-Year Timeline for Transition
Woo’s seven-year window reflects a common estimate in the security community: it could take up to a decade before quantum hardware reaches the capabilities required to break current Bitcoin encryption. Meanwhile, core developers and academics are experimenting with lattice-based and hash-based signatures that may serve as drop-in replacements for existing schemes.The analyst’s recommendation comes as quantum computing funding accelerates globally — with major breakthroughs announced by Google, IBM, and Quantinuum. Bitcoin’s long-term security, Woo emphasized, depends on staying ahead of these developments through proactive innovation rather than panic.
What This Means for Investors
While the quantum threat remains largely theoretical, Woo’s advice is a reminder that self-custody and technological awareness are critical parts of crypto risk management. Moving BTC to SegWit addresses requires only a standard wallet upgrade — a small step that could make a big difference if quantum attacks arrive sooner than expected.Editorial Team — CoinBotLab