Major Bitcoin Institutions May ‘Fire the Devs’ Over Quantum Computing Inaction, Warns Nic Carter

In a stark warning that could reshape the future of Bitcoin, prominent venture capitalist Nic Carter has predicted that major institutional holders may soon take drastic action against Bitcoin developers for their perceived inaction on quantum computing threats.

Speaking on the Bits and Bops podcast released Thursday, Carter delivered a bombshell prediction that sent shockwaves through the crypto community: “I think the big institutions that now exist in Bitcoin, they will get fed up, and they will fire the devs and put in new devs.”

The statement comes at a critical juncture for Bitcoin, which has been grappling with mounting concerns about its vulnerability to quantum computing attacks. BlackRock, the world’s largest asset manager, currently holds approximately 761,801 BTC—worth roughly $50.15 billion—representing about 3.62% of Bitcoin’s total supply.

“If you’re BlackRock and you have billions of dollars of client assets in this thing and its problems aren’t being addressed, what choice do you have?” Carter questioned, highlighting the growing frustration among institutional investors.

The Quantum Computing Threat: Existential or Overblown?

The debate over quantum computing’s threat to Bitcoin has split the industry. Carter, who has been increasingly vocal about the issue, stated on January 21 that Bitcoin’s “mysterious” price underperformance is “due to quantum” and represents “the only story that matters this year.”

Bitcoin is currently trading at $70,281, down 26.25% over the past 30 days, according to CoinMarketCap data. This price action has fueled speculation that institutional investors are growing increasingly concerned about the network’s long-term viability.

However, not everyone shares Carter’s sense of urgency. Some Bitcoin luminaries, including Strategy executive chairman Michael Saylor and Blockstream CEO Adam Back, argue that quantum threats are overblown and won’t disrupt the network for decades.

Industry Split on the Severity of the Threat

The broader industry remains deeply divided on how imminent the quantum threat truly is. Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards views quantum computing as a potential “existential threat” to Bitcoin, arguing that an upgrade is needed now to strengthen network security.

In contrast, CoinShares Bitcoin research lead Christopher Bendiksen recently argued that only 10,230 out of 1.63 million Bitcoin sit in wallet addresses with publicly visible cryptographic keys that are vulnerable to quantum computing attacks.

Zero Knowledge Consulting founder Austin Campbell echoed Carter’s concerns, stating: “If there is a structural problem here, and they have a large view, eventually they are going to be required to speak up.”

The Corporate Takeover Scenario

Carter warned that if Bitcoin developers don’t move quickly to implement quantum-resistant cryptography, it will lead to “a corporate takeover,” which he believes would be “a successful one.”

This prediction raises profound questions about Bitcoin’s decentralized nature and governance model. If institutions with billions at stake decide to intervene directly in development decisions, it could fundamentally alter the cryptocurrency’s core principles.

However, Lumida Wealth Management founder Ram Ahluwahlia pushed back against this scenario, noting that major institutions in Bitcoin are “passive” investors. “They are not activists,” he said, suggesting that direct intervention in development might be unlikely.

The Clock is Ticking

The debate comes as Bitcoin faces increasing pressure from multiple fronts. The cryptocurrency’s recent price weakness has intensified discussions about its technological vulnerabilities and the need for upgrades.

Carter’s prediction represents a significant escalation in the quantum computing debate, moving from theoretical discussions to potential real-world consequences. If institutions do decide to “fire the devs,” it would mark a watershed moment in Bitcoin’s history, potentially reshaping its governance structure and development priorities.

The question now facing the Bitcoin community is whether developers will respond to these warnings by accelerating quantum-resistant upgrades, or whether institutional patience will indeed run out, leading to the dramatic intervention Carter predicts.

As the quantum computing threat looms larger in institutional investors’ minds, the pressure on Bitcoin’s development community continues to mount. Whether this pressure will result in meaningful action or the predicted “corporate takeover” remains one of the most critical questions facing the cryptocurrency in 2025.

Tags & Viral Phrases:

• Bitcoin devs fired
• Quantum computing threat
• BlackRock Bitcoin holdings
• Institutional takeover Bitcoin
• Nic Carter prediction
• Bitcoin price crash
• Crypto quantum risk
• Bitcoin governance crisis
• Corporate Bitcoin control
• Quantum Bitcoin vulnerability
• Bitcoin developers replaced
• Institutional Bitcoin pressure
• Crypto existential threat
• Bitcoin quantum computing
• Devs vs institutions
• Bitcoin price underperformance
• Quantum-resistant Bitcoin
• Bitcoin security upgrade
• Institutional investors Bitcoin
• Crypto development crisis

,