Bitcoin’s latest worth weak spot has revived the quantum-computing debate, with one high-profile investor arguing it’s already shaping market habits — and on-chain analysts saying the true driver is extra old style promoting strain.
Gold and silver stored ripping on Thursday, with gold up 1.7% to a file $4,930 an oz and silver leaping 3.7% to $96, whereas bitcoin slipped again to simply above $89,000, roughly 30% under its early-October peak.
Since simply after Trump’s November 2024 election win, bitcoin is down 2.6%, versus beneficial properties of 205% for silver, 83% for gold, 24% for the Nasdaq and 17.6% for the S&P 500.
Citadel Island Ventures companion Nic Carter kicked off the newest spherical of chatter, saying Bitcoin’s “mysterious” underperformance is “on account of quantum,” and calling it “the one story that issues this yr.”
Bitcoin’s “mysterious” underperformance (on account of quantum) is the one story that issues this yr. The market is talking the devs aren’t listening https://t.co/C30BO5Tj4A
— nic carter (@nic_carter) January 21, 2026
Others weren’t satisfied. @_Checkmatey_, an onchain analyst at Checkonchain, argued that pinning sideways worth motion on quantum fears is like blaming “market manipulation for crimson candles” or alternate balances for rallies. In his view, the market has been transferring on provide and positioning, not sci-fi danger.
“Gold has a bid as a result of sovereigns are shopping for it instead of treasuries,” he mentioned. “The development has been in place since 2008, and accelerates after Feb-22. Bitcoin noticed sell-side from HODLers in 2025 which might have killed each prior bull thrice over, after which as soon as extra.”
Distinguished bitcoin investor and creator Vijay Boyapati mirrored the ideas: “The actual clarification is basically simply the unlocking of an infinite provide as soon as we hit a magic quantity for lots of whales (100k).”
Whereas I agree QC is a authentic concern, and I admire your work on this (and don’t query your motives as others have completed) I believe the value stalling invitations narratives to fill the explanatory void when, imo, the true clarification is basically simply the unlocking of an…
— Vijay Boyapati (@real_vijay) January 21, 2026
Quantum computing has lengthy been mentioned as a theoretical danger to bitcoin’s cryptographic foundations.
Superior machines operating algorithms equivalent to Shor’s may, in precept, break the elliptic curve cryptography used to safe wallets. Nevertheless, most builders argue such machines stay a long time away from sensible deployment.
That view stays dominant amongst bitcoin’s technical neighborhood. Blockstream co-founder Adam Again has described the menace as extraordinarily distant, saying even worst-case eventualities wouldn’t result in instant or network-wide lack of funds. Bitcoin Enchancment Proposal 360, which might introduce quantum-resistant tackle codecs, already outlines a gradual migration path ought to the necessity come up.
Nonetheless, the subject has gained renewed consideration after some conventional finance figures raised considerations.
Earlier this month, Jefferies strategist Christopher Wooden eliminated bitcoin from a mannequin portfolio, citing quantum computing as a long-term danger issue.
As CoinDesk beforehand reported, the true problem just isn’t whether or not bitcoin can adapt to a quantum future, however how lengthy such an improve would take if it ever turns into vital. That timeline is measured in years, not market cycles, making it an unlikely clarification for short-term worth habits.
