Bitcoin backers downplayed claims that fears around quantum computing are weighing on Bitcoin’s price, as analysts linked recent weakness to long term holder selling instead. Market participants continued to debate whether advances in quantum technology threaten Bitcoin’s security or explain its muted performance.
Glassnode lead analyst James Check said linking Bitcoin’s price action to quantum computing fears oversimplifies market dynamics. He compared such claims to blaming market manipulation for price drops or exchange flows for rallies.
Instead, Check pointed to sustained sell-side pressure from long term holders during 2025. He said this level of selling would have ended prior bull markets multiple times. Bitcoin traded near $89,500 over the past day, according to CoinMarketCap. Despite optimistic forecasts, Bitcoin ended 2025 down 6.33% from its yearly open.
Check said Bitcoin faced heavy selling from holders who typically remain inactive for extended periods. This supply release weighed on price action far more than speculative narratives. He also noted that some capital may have stayed on the sidelines due to quantum concerns.
Still, he said that factor played a secondary role compared with the scale of realized selling. Bitcoin dropped from $93,425 at the start of 2025 to $87,508 by year end. During the year, it still reached a peak above $126,000 in October.
Several analysts had forecast prices as high as $250,000. The gap between expectations and performance fueled renewed debate around market structure and risk perception.
Quantum computing relies on qubits that process information differently from classical computers. Researchers have debated whether future systems could break cryptographic standards used by blockchains. The discussion gained traction after Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood removed Bitcoin from his “Greed & Fear” model portfolio, citing concerns that quantum advances could undermine long term security.
IBM recently entangled 120 qubits into a stable state using GHZ states. The experiment achieved a fidelity of 0.56 and reduced noise in superconducting circuits. Developers noted that elliptic curve cryptography secures Bitcoin today. Some researchers have remarked that quantum progress has not yet reached levels well enough to threaten live networks.
Jamie Coutts of RealVision said quantum risk does not correlate with short term price movements. Still, he said institutional focus on such risks could influence future market behavior.
Coutts supported Wood’s decision, adding that it shows quantum risk has entered institutional frameworks. Broader market views remain divided; Bitcoin author Vijay Boyapati said he remains skeptical that quantum computing explains Bitcoin’s price action.
He noted that some investment notes may amplify the narrative. By contrast, Castle Island Ventures partner Nic Carter said Bitcoin’s underperformance stems from quantum risk. He described it as the dominant theme shaping the market this year.
As prices fluctuate, some analysts warned that rising confidence may reduce urgency around precautionary upgrades. Does Bitcoin’s slow response to emerging risks create vulnerability when markets feel most secure?
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Bitcoin price weakness has fueled debate as analysts dispute quantum computing fears and point to sustained long-term holder selling. Institutions now factor quantum risk into frameworks, while others reject it as a price driver. The takeaway is clear: monitor holder behavior and institutional signals as the discussion evolves.