Venture capitalist Nic Carter warned that major institutions holding large amounts of Bitcoin could eventually replace core developers if quantum computing risks are not addressed swiftly.
Speaking on the Bits and Bips podcast, Carter said asset managers with billions in client exposure may lose patience if perceived structural vulnerabilities remain unresolved.
“I think the big institutions that now exist in Bitcoin, they will get fed up, and they will fire the devs and put in new devs,”
Carter said.
Carter pointed to BlackRock, which holds roughly 761,801 Bitcoin valued at about $50 billion, arguing that such stakeholders could push for quantum-resistant cryptographic upgrades or risk what he described as a “corporate takeover” of development.
Zero Knowledge Consulting founder Austin Campbell echoed concerns that large institutional holders may feel compelled to intervene if security threats appear material.
The debate comes as industry figures remain divided, with Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards calling quantum computing a potential existential threat, while CoinShares research lead Christopher Bendiksen argues only a small fraction of exposed wallets are currently vulnerable.
Other prominent Bitcoin advocates, including Michael Saylor and Adam Back, maintain that quantum risks are overstated and unlikely to disrupt the network for decades.
At the time of reporting, Bitcoin price was $68,738.12.