NewsBTC
Feb 16, 2026
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BEARISH 📉 : Quantum fears stall Bitcoin’s growth against gold, analysts say

On-chain analyst Willy Woo highlights a stall in Bitcoin's value rise compared to gold, breaking a decade-long trend. This shift coincides with the emergence of quantum computing concerns among Bitcoin developers.

Quantum Concerns and Market Impact

  • Approximately 4 million BTC are out of circulation due to lost keys, impacting supply dynamics.
  • Corporate buyers and spot ETFs have removed nearly 3 million BTC from the market since 2020.
  • Woo estimates a 25% chance of a network hard fork to freeze recovered coins if quantum machines retrieve them.
  • Q-Day, when quantum computers could threaten cryptography, is projected to be 5-15 years away, but markets may price this risk earlier.

Gold as a Preferred Asset

  • Macro financial cycles are directing capital towards traditional assets like gold.
  • Sovereign funds and large investors are increasing gold holdings, leading to its rally while Bitcoin lags.

Divergent Views on Quantum Threat

  • Blockstream CEO Adam Back argues that the quantum threat is overstated and Bitcoin can adapt its cryptography.
  • Andreas Antonopoulos suggests that global security standards would improve before Bitcoin faces a crisis.

Market Movements

  • Unusual activity by early Bitcoin holders has been observed, influencing market sentiment.
  • Bitcoin is trading at $68,700, reflecting volatility after failing to maintain its peak of $126,000.
  • Gold trades at approximately $4,950 per ounce, benefiting from its status as a safe-haven asset.
  • The correlation between Bitcoin and gold remains weak, indicating independent movements.