Why Satoshi Needs a Trustee : The Quantum Threat That Could Shake Bitcoin

Feb 10

Bitcoin was designed to be decentralized, immutable, and censorship-resistant. But there’s one critical flaw: if Satoshi Nakamoto is dead or has lost access to his private keys, his 1.1 million BTC are sitting ducks for quantum computing attacks. And according to Tether CEO Paolo Ardoino, once quantum computing reaches a certain level, those lost wallets—including Satoshi’s—will be hacked and those coins will re-enter circulation.

For years, the Bitcoin community has dismissed the quantum threat as a distant concern. But recent advancements, such as Google’s Willow quantum chip, capable of solving complex mathematical problems in just minutes, suggest that the timeline for quantum supremacy is shrinking. The industry must act now—because if Satoshi's coins are hacked, Bitcoin itself could face its greatest existential crisis.

Why Satoshi Needs a Trustee

If Satoshi is still alive and has access to his keys, he could move his BTC to quantum-resistant wallets. But if he isn’t, Bitcoin needs a way to protect those coins before quantum attackers can steal them.

A trustee system—a mechanism for safeguarding and migrating vulnerable wallets—may be the only solution. How would this work?

A Protocol for Inactive Wallet Recovery
A Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) could introduce a mechanism that allows the migration of long-dormant wallets—those untouched for over a decade—to secure, quantum-resistant addresses.
Migration to Quantum-Safe Wallets
Bitcoin developers are already working on quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques, such as P2QRH (Post-Quantum Resilient Hash Payment). Satoshi’s BTC, along with other lost wallets, should be moved to these protected addresses before an attacker does it first.
Decentralized Custodianship
A multisig system involving high-trust members of the Bitcoin community could act as a decentralized trustee. These individuals would hold the necessary keys to facilitate migrations without introducing a central point of failure.

The Role of a Private Wealth Trustee in Protecting Satoshi’s BTC

As a Trustee, my role would be to preserve, protect, and strategically manage Satoshi’s BTC for the long term, ensuring that the assets remain secure and continue to benefit Bitcoin’s ecosystem rather than becoming a liability.

Here’s what a trustee could do in this situation:

1. Legal Protection & Asset Structuring

Establish a Trust for Satoshi’s BTC: If Satoshi’s coins are deemed vulnerable, they could be placed under a Bitcoin Trust with a predefined governance structure, ensuring they are not misused or exploited.
Implement Legal Safeguards: By structuring these BTC within a trust, they can be shielded from unauthorized access, fraudulent claims, or regulatory seizures.

2. Quantum-Safe Custodianship & Migration

Preemptively Move the BTC to Quantum-Resistant Wallets: A trustee can initiate a controlled migration of Satoshi’s BTC to quantum-resistant storage, securing them before attackers can exploit weak cryptography.
Diversification of Storage Methods: A trustee can establish a hybrid storage system combining cold storage, multi-signature setups, and quantum-proof cryptographic techniques.

3. Governance & Ethical Distribution

Prevent a Sudden Market Shock: If Satoshi’s BTC were suddenly hacked and sold, it could cause chaos. A trustee can implement gradual distribution policies to mitigate price volatility and protect Bitcoin’s supply integrity.
Ensure Coins Benefit Bitcoin’s Ecosystem: Instead of being hoarded or liquidated recklessly, these BTC could be strategically reinvested into Bitcoin development, infrastructure, or decentralized funding initiatives.

4. Creating a Contingency Plan for Future Threats

Establish a Quantum-Resistant Succession Plan: If quantum computing advances faster than expected, a trustee could have predefined emergency protocols to rapidly adapt security measures.
Smart Contract-Based Governance: Utilizing decentralized governance mechanisms, a trustee can programmatically ensure that BTC cannot be moved without consensus, preventing misuse.

The Quantum Threat: What Happens If Satoshi’s BTC Are Hacked?

If Satoshi’s 1.1 million BTC fall into the wrong hands, the consequences could be significant:

Massive Supply Shock
Satoshi’s BTC represent over 5% of the total supply. If they suddenly hit the market, Bitcoin’s price could experience extreme volatility.
Loss of Trust in Bitcoin’s Security
If Bitcoin’s cryptographic security is compromised before a quantum-resistant upgrade is implemented, trust in the network could erode overnight.
Aggressive Government Regulation
If Bitcoin is seen as vulnerable, regulators worldwide may use the crisis as justification for severe crackdowns, potentially stifling adoption and innovation.

Satoshi Nakamoto gifted the world an unparalleled financial revolution. But his Bitcoin, if unprotected, could become the Achilles’ heel of the very system he created. A trustee could preserve Satoshi’s vision and shield his BTC from quantum threats.

Bitcoin was built to survive. But survival requires action, not assumptions. The moment to secure Satoshi’s BTC is now.

Frédéric Sanz

With over 20 years of elite financial expertise in Switzerland, I specialize in managing UHNWIs assets, leading high-performing teams, and driving innovation in wealth management. As a TEP, MSc., MAS, and Executive MBA with AI diplomas from MIT and Kellogg, I combine deep technical knowledge with strategic leadership for business growth.

A blockchain specialist, I deliver exceptional revenue growth while elevating client satisfaction. Fluent in Spanish, French, Italian, and English, I offer a global perspective, blending advanced AI-driven strategies with traditional wealth management.