Opinion: Quantum computing could crack the lost bitcoin, challenging the scarcity narrative

Advances in quantum computing technology could redefine the traditional notion that Bitcoin "lost coins" cannot be recovered. The article points out that some early-generated and long-abandoned wallets (such as Satoshi Nakamoto's wallet), due to their owners' inability to migrate keys to a more secure encryption algorithm, may be at risk due to quantum computing breaking through the old encryption technology. This could recirculate some bitcoins that were thought to be permanently lost, thus changing the scarcity narrative. Although Bitcoin developers are able to protect active wallets through protocol upgrades, and the network is adaptable enough to meet the challenges of the quantum age, old wallets may be easier targets for future attacks, posing a new test for Bitcoin's cyber security.