If an AI system successfully attacks or otherwise disrupts the cryptography of a respected blockchain – even in a white hat research setting – every panicked crypto selloff seen before that moment will seem small. If a quantum computer ever broke the blockchain, we could all close up shop. The idea of blockchain will be permanently weakened.
The good news is that there is a well-defined technology roadmap to avoid this. Some, not enough, but Some? Protocols are already implementing this. But why are so many people falling short?
This is a real and emerging threat that the crypto industry is ignoring at its peril. To secure the future of decentralized technology, crypto must urgently upgrade its infrastructure to handle and actively partner with the industries that pose the greatest risks: AI and quantum computing.
Blame it on pride, or protectionism, or competition, but these inter-industry partnerships and technological future-proofing steps are not happening at a meaningful rate. As a result, technology designed to improve humanity is becoming increasingly vulnerable to the infrastructure that would define it.
Blockchain technology is ultimately providing secure, transparent, and self-sovereign systems on a global scale. Yet today, the threats of AI – and, at a later date, quantum computing – show that crypto is not doing enough to protect everything it creates.
A recent study from Cornell University examined how AI agents connected to blockchain protocols can be manipulated by adversaries who tamper with their memory or context. Malicious actors can insert fake histories or signals, trigger unauthorized transfers or protocol violations, essentially turning AI-powered crypto agents into hijacked collaborators.
Meanwhile, AI in the hands of attackers is already fueling cybercrime. AI-enabled phishing, malware, and zero-day exploits are on the rise, and traditional security is struggling to keep up.
But it is equally important to note that most of our industry is moving blindly towards quantum computing. Although it may still take a decade for a blockchain to be broken, the risk may be more serious than a 51/49 attack by generative AI. Experts warn that within a decade, powerful quantum machines could crack the encryption that secures up to 25% of all Bitcoin, especially BTC stored in legacy wallets with exposed public keys.
Researchers have already discovered that traditional public key crypto that forms the core of blockchains is vulnerable to quantum algorithms that already exist today. Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) standards are now emerging from government cybersecurity organizations like NIST and ENISA, but the crypto industry is not taking their guidance seriously.
The bottom line is that many operators are prioritizing hypergrowth over responsible scaling and are neither acting with sufficient urgency nor partnering with AI and quantum experts to future-proof systems.
Only a few blockchains, such as Sui, Ethereum, and Algorand, are actively developing and testing post-quantum algorithms, with Sui going as far as solving the backward compatibility issue to protect older, non-quantum accounts. Even though the NIST standards are becoming stronger, some of the world’s most valuable networks still use ECDSA without quantum-resilient upgrades. Research confirms extensive preparation on major platforms.
The consequences of inaction are real. If AI infiltrates blockchain systems, the hacks can be invisible, covert, and systemic. Agents with fake memories can move funds illegally, compromise contract security, or corrupt DeFi protocols. And if quantum computing comes before the adoption of quantum-secure algorithms across the board, attackers could reverse private keys, rewrite history and weaken user wallets, destroying hard-earned trust in an entire industry.
It is time to mitigate these systemic risks, but the shift toward future-proof technology and partnerships must start now. Every crypto protocol needs to assess its cryptographic inventory and begin planning for a phased rollout of post-quantum cryptography well ahead of the deadlines recommended by security agencies.
Waiting is not a strategy, as there could easily be a leapfrog innovation in quantum computing or AI – accelerated by the AI itself – that extends the threat timeline by years.
In addition to passivity toward future-proof blockchains at the protocol level, meaningful partnerships between crypto, AI, and quantum companies remain sparse, not enough AI companies are co-designing secure agent-in-crypto frameworks with crypto companies, and there is not enough collaboration between the blockchain industry and quantum academia.
Both crypto operators and AI and quantum researchers should work together to develop a framework to co-exist. This includes creating mechanisms where blockchains secure AI outputs such as immutable logs, transparent decision histories, and trusted governance.
Engagement with regulators also needs significant improvement. This means working with organizations like NIST and ENISA to help test and refine emerging post-quantum cryptography standards. People who participate in defining what a quantum-proof protocol is are more likely to implement them correctly and securely.
Better collaboration will lead to safeguards that protect governments, businesses, individuals, and the technology that advances humanity. More importantly, if working in lockstep, crypto, AI, and quantum computing can help each other and improve society. Deeper cross-industry integration is not only better for our security, they are also better for the global economy.
With quantum and crypto collaboration, imagine networks that use quantum-safe signatures and encryption from day one. And this is where the fun comes in. These networks can store the next generation of scientific data – medical breakthroughs, genomic research, climate models – with the guarantee that even the most advanced quantum adversary cannot tamper with the historical truth. Quantum progress becomes allies rather than threats.
Only by actively working with the AI and quantum communities can the crypto industry deliver on its promise. Crypto can create systems that are not only safe from tomorrow’s threats but will also enhance humanity’s potential. But if the industry fails to partner more effectively with other industries and take independent steps to reduce risk, much of what the world is excited about today could be for naught.