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Satoshi’s 22,000 Wallets Could Make Quantum Attacks On Bitcoin Far More Difficult: Expert
TL;DR
Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin is distributed across 22,000 wallets, complicating potential quantum attacks. Experts believe that large exchanges and institutions are the primary targets for quantum threats, not Satoshi's coins.
Key points
- Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin is in 22,000 wallets
- Quantum attacks require breaking multiple individual wallets
- Large exchanges are primary targets for quantum threats
- Property rights on Bitcoin network are considered inviolable
- Research on post-quantum cryptography is seen as worthwhile
Mentioned in this story
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The quantum threat to Bitcoin may be far less concentrated than widely assumed — and that structural detail is quietly reshaping how developers and investors think about the risk.
A Distributed Problem, Not A Single Target
Coins attributed to Bitcoin’s pseudonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto are spread across roughly 22,000 separate addresses, each holding 50 BTC. That means a quantum computer capable of cracking Bitcoin’s encryption would need to break thousands of individual wallets — not one massive target. According to Alex Thorn, a researcher who attended a recent industry gathering in Las Vegas, that reality is changing how experts frame the threat. The real high-value targets, Thorn noted, are large exchanges and active institutions — entities that can migrate to post-quantum addresses on their own if needed. The distinction between long-range and short-range quantum attacks matters here, too. Neutral atom quantum systems — a competing approach to the more widely known superconducting method — are only capable of long-range attacks.
i had many discussions about quantum & bitcoin in las vegas this week, both on and off stage, with skeptics, advocates, and many overall smart bitcoiners
some consensus i feel is emerging:
- satoshi’s coins (P2PK) should not be touched. violating his property rights could be…
— Alex Thorn (@intangiblecoins) May 2, 2026 Google recently opened a neutral atom lab shortly before publishing a major quantum computing paper. Some observers read that move as a quiet acknowledgment that superconducting technology may have limits, though the company has not said so directly.
Property Rights And The Satoshi Question
The question of whether Bitcoin’s protocol should ever be changed to address Satoshi’s coins drew strong opinions. Based on Thorn’s account of discussions at the event, a rough consensus formed: those coins should not be touched.
if you haven’t yet, watch the great discussion between at last week
Q&A
How many wallets does Satoshi Nakamoto have for Bitcoin?
Satoshi Nakamoto's Bitcoin is spread across approximately 22,000 separate wallets.
Why are large exchanges considered higher-value targets for quantum attacks on Bitcoin?
Large exchanges and active institutions can migrate to post-quantum addresses, making them more vulnerable than Satoshi's distributed coins.
What is the significance of the 'hourglass' mechanism in relation to quantum attacks on Bitcoin?
The 'hourglass' mechanism could be activated if a long-range quantum attack on Bitcoin is deemed imminent, helping to manage the risk.
