It’s Time for the Crypto Industry to Take the Threat of AI and Quantum Computing Seriously

Why It Matters

Chalkias says the crypto sector’s focus on growth over resilience leaves networks exposed and urges immediate, industry‑wide migration to post‑quantum cryptography and cross‑disciplinary partnerships to future‑proof infrastructure.

Summary

Kostas Chalkias warns that AI and looming quantum computing advances pose an existential threat to blockchain integrity, arguing the industry is underestimating risks that could enable stealthy AI-driven attacks or, ultimately, quantum reversal of private keys. He cites research showing AI agents can be manipulated to trigger unauthorized transfers and warns that within a decade quantum machines could break encryption protecting as much as 25% of Bitcoin, while only a few chains—Sui, Ethereum and Algorand—are actively testing post‑quantum defenses. Chalkias says the crypto sector’s focus on growth over resilience leaves networks exposed and urges immediate, industry‑wide migration to post‑quantum cryptography and cross‑disciplinary partnerships to future‑proof infrastructure.