Ray Dalio Warns Quantum Computers Could Break Bitcoin
In a CNBC interview on Nov. 20, 2025, Ray Dalio said that Bitcoin could potentially be ‘‘broken’’ by future advances in quantum computing, a warning that centers on the risk to the elliptic-curve signatures that secure wallets and transactions. Dalio’s remark echoes long‑standing academic concerns that sufficiently powerful quantum machines running algorithms like Shor’s could expose private keys, though he gave no precise timeline for when that might happen.
The statement matters because it highlights a structural risk to crypto infrastructure and could influence investor sentiment. While current quantum hardware remains far from breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography, developers and exchanges may accelerate work on post‑quantum signature schemes and coordinated protocol upgrades to mitigate the threat. For holders and service providers, the near-term takeaway is awareness and preparedness, not panic, as technical and governance paths exist to harden the network if a credible quantum threat emerges.