Blab Crypto
Trump Signs Executive Orders to Accelerate U.S. Quantum Computing, Heightening Crypto Security Concerns
On Monday, June 23 2026, President Donald Trump signed two executive orders that could reshape the future of digital security. Announced from the White House, the directives aim to make the United States the world’s quantum‑computing leader by 2028, covering computing, sensing and networking.
The first order tackles the looming threat of quantum‑based cyberattacks. It mandates that all federal systems transition to post‑quantum cryptography by 2031, replacing the current public‑key schemes with algorithms that are believed to resist quantum attacks. The second order directs the creation of quantum sensors that could be fielded in conflict zones by 2028. Trump described the measures as “a big deal” and said the country is “already the leader by a lot and we’re going to be now the leader by a lot more.”
For the crypto community, the announcement underscores a long‑term risk that a powerful quantum computer could compromise digital assets. Bitcoin, for example, relies on elliptic‑curve digital signatures (ECDSA) and SHA‑256 hashing to secure wallets and validate transactions. Classical computers find these algorithms secure, but quantum algorithms such as Shor’s could, in theory, solve the underlying problems more efficiently, allowing an attacker to derive private keys from public keys.
Although the threat is viewed as a distant challenge, some analysts warn that Bitcoin’s price could be affected if a quantum‑safe upgrade is not deployed before a capable machine appears. In December, analyst Charles Edwards wrote that a failure to address the quantum threat by 2028 could push Bitcoin below $50 000 and trigger a prolonged bear market.
In response, several projects are exploring quantum‑resistant solutions. StarkWare, an Ethereum‑scaling firm, unveiled a research prototype called Quantum‑Safe Bitcoin (QSB). The proposal would let Bitcoin transactions remain secure against a large‑scale quantum computer without changing the core protocol, but it would add significant computational costs—estimated at $75 to $150 per transaction—making it impractical for everyday use. Bitcoin developer Samson Mow said the community is “moving along at an incredibly fast pace” in developing defenses.
Ripple’s engineering team has also been working on post‑quantum cryptography for the XRP Ledger. Ripple’s chief engineer Ayo Akinyele explained on the Thinking Crypto podcast that the company began investigating quantum‑safe standards in 2024 and 2025, citing research from Google’s quantum division that suggests threats could emerge as early as 2029. Akinyele emphasized that the network must be proactive to prepare for a worst‑case scenario.
Market reactions to the executive orders are uncertain. Some investors view the U.S. push as evidence that practical quantum attacks are still years away, potentially reducing immediate concern for Bitcoin and XRP. Others worry that a breakthrough could expose exposed addresses and delay necessary upgrades, leading to price volatility. The current price of XRP was around $1.10 at the time of writing.
In short, the new orders accelerate U.S. quantum research while the crypto community continues to develop post‑quantum safeguards. Whether the quantum threat materializes before a fix is implemented remains unclear, but the industry is taking steps to mitigate potential risks. The next few years will see continued dialogue between government, academia and blockchain developers as the world watches for the first practical quantum computer.
The first order tackles the looming threat of quantum‑based cyberattacks. It mandates that all federal systems transition to post‑quantum cryptography by 2031, replacing the current public‑key schemes with algorithms that are believed to resist quantum attacks. The second order directs the creation of quantum sensors that could be fielded in conflict zones by 2028. Trump described the measures as “a big deal” and said the country is “already the leader by a lot and we’re going to be now the leader by a lot more.”
For the crypto community, the announcement underscores a long‑term risk that a powerful quantum computer could compromise digital assets. Bitcoin, for example, relies on elliptic‑curve digital signatures (ECDSA) and SHA‑256 hashing to secure wallets and validate transactions. Classical computers find these algorithms secure, but quantum algorithms such as Shor’s could, in theory, solve the underlying problems more efficiently, allowing an attacker to derive private keys from public keys.
Although the threat is viewed as a distant challenge, some analysts warn that Bitcoin’s price could be affected if a quantum‑safe upgrade is not deployed before a capable machine appears. In December, analyst Charles Edwards wrote that a failure to address the quantum threat by 2028 could push Bitcoin below $50 000 and trigger a prolonged bear market.
In response, several projects are exploring quantum‑resistant solutions. StarkWare, an Ethereum‑scaling firm, unveiled a research prototype called Quantum‑Safe Bitcoin (QSB). The proposal would let Bitcoin transactions remain secure against a large‑scale quantum computer without changing the core protocol, but it would add significant computational costs—estimated at $75 to $150 per transaction—making it impractical for everyday use. Bitcoin developer Samson Mow said the community is “moving along at an incredibly fast pace” in developing defenses.
Ripple’s engineering team has also been working on post‑quantum cryptography for the XRP Ledger. Ripple’s chief engineer Ayo Akinyele explained on the Thinking Crypto podcast that the company began investigating quantum‑safe standards in 2024 and 2025, citing research from Google’s quantum division that suggests threats could emerge as early as 2029. Akinyele emphasized that the network must be proactive to prepare for a worst‑case scenario.
Market reactions to the executive orders are uncertain. Some investors view the U.S. push as evidence that practical quantum attacks are still years away, potentially reducing immediate concern for Bitcoin and XRP. Others worry that a breakthrough could expose exposed addresses and delay necessary upgrades, leading to price volatility. The current price of XRP was around $1.10 at the time of writing.
In short, the new orders accelerate U.S. quantum research while the crypto community continues to develop post‑quantum safeguards. Whether the quantum threat materializes before a fix is implemented remains unclear, but the industry is taking steps to mitigate potential risks. The next few years will see continued dialogue between government, academia and blockchain developers as the world watches for the first practical quantum computer.
