Crypto traders moved quickly into quantum-resistant narratives after Google published a new quantum computing research update. In the past 24 hours, Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) and Cellframe (CEL) each climbed 50%, while Abelian (ABEL) rose 25%. Qubic (QUBIC) and QANplatform (QANX) added 10% each, and privacy-focused Zcash (ZEC) gained nearly 7%.
Google update sharpens focus on Bitcoin’s cryptography
Late Monday, Google’s Quantum AI team said quantum computers might be able to break the elliptic-curve cryptography used by Bitcoin with fewer than 500,000 qubits, a much lower threshold than earlier estimates had suggested. That finding led some analysts to point to 2029 as a possible deadline for Bitcoin and the wider blockchain sector to harden defenses.
The study said a sufficiently advanced quantum computer could attack Bitcoin in as little as nine minutes. A separate report focused on Ethereum and described five potential attack vectors that could expose roughly $100 billion in assets, including DeFi positions and tokenized holdings.
Large-cap coins stay relatively calm while niche tokens jump
Bitcoin and ether posted only modest moves over the same period. The bigger reaction showed up in smaller tokens tied to post-quantum cryptography, security research, or projects seen as more resilient than older chains. The move suggests traders are assigning value to long-term technical risk now, even though the threat remains theoretical for the moment.
According to Coingecko data, the market capitalization of this group of 20 coins increased 8% over 24 hours to $4.66 billion. The reports also made clear that machines capable of carrying out such attacks do not yet exist. The risk is still years away, but price action shows that the theme is already influencing allocations.
Zcash joins the basket, though it is not fully post-quantum
Zcash was included in the category even though it is not yet a truly quantum-resistant network. Data providers place it in the basket because of its advanced cryptographic base, including zero-knowledge proofs, along with ongoing work around post-quantum-secure ZK-SNARKs. In practice, that makes ZEC part of a “quantum-aware” trade rather than a fully post-quantum implementation.
Concern around quantum attacks has affected market behavior before. Charles Edwards, founder of Capriole Investments, said those fears contributed to Bitcoin decoupling from a rising stock market in the second half of 2025. During the final months of that year, bitcoin fell from $126,000 to $80,000.