Blockchain Evolves Toward AI, Finance and Quantum Security

Quantum computers, AI agents, stablecoins, and Web3 gaming: The latest press review shows how blockchain technology is evolving from pure crypto infrastructure into a building block for financial systems, digital markets, and intelligent applications. At the same time, security risks and regulatory challenges remain key issues.

According to Bitpanda, quantum computers are not considered an acute threat to the blockchain

In an article published on July 21st, 2026, Bitpanda explores the question of whether quantum computers could spell the end of blockchain. While quantum computers could solve certain complex problems significantly faster than classical computers, according to Bitpanda, no system currently exists that could break Bitcoin or Ethereum.

Bitcoin’s security relies, among other things, on the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) for transactions and the Secure Hash Algorithm 256-bit (SHA-256) for mining and address generation. The Shor algorithm could potentially compromise ECDSA, while the Grover algorithm could reduce the effective security of SHA-256

A recent study, according to Bitpanda, concludes that a quantum computer capable of attacking Bitcoin would need to be about twenty times smaller than previously thought.

However, this does not mean that such an attack would be twenty times faster: Modern quantum computers currently operate with about one thousand qubits, while the study suggests that around half a million suitable qubits, including scalable error correction, would be required.

Most experts estimate that such a technology could be available no earlier than the 2030s. However, the exact timing cannot currently be reliably predicted. Bitpanda therefore interprets the blockchain study as a call to accelerate the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography, not as an indication of an imminent collapse.

Bitpanda considers the avoidance of address reuse to be a crucial safeguard for Bitcoin users. As long as no transaction has originated from a Bitcoin address, no cryptographic information is exposed that a quantum computer could exploit for an attack. The article also mentions modern wallets, timely software updates, and secure offline storage of the seed phrase as further measures.

At the same time, Bitpanda points to an unresolved problem: A significant portion of the Bitcoin supply is based on an older address format that exposes relevant cryptographic information. This includes the coins of Bitcoin developer Satoshi Nakamoto, which have not been moved since 2009. A transfer to a more secure address format is often impossible because the private keys are presumably lost.

According to Bitpanda, quantum-resistant cryptography is already standardized. The US National Institute of Standards and Technology published new standards for protection against quantum attacks in August 2024. QRL has been using this technology since 2018, Algorand processed its first quantum-resistant transaction in 2025, and the XRP Ledger is testing the algorithms in its test network. Corresponding upgrades are being prepared for Bitcoin and Ethereum with BIP-360 and EIP-7932, respectively.

Bitpanda cites smart contract flaws, bridge hacks, phishing , and stolen keys as the most significant current threats. According to Chainalysis, approximately $1.7 billion worth of crypto assets were stolen from the crypto ecosystem in 2023; quantum computers played no role in any of these incidents.

Paris Blockchain Week is being transformed into an AI and finance platform under new management

According to BeInCrypto, Paris Blockchain Week is launching under a new name and with a broader strategic focus. The Hyve Group has acquired Signal Week, formerly Paris Blockchain Week, along with the RAISE Summit and the MACHINA Summit.

The terms of the acquisition were not disclosed. Hyve stated that the three events will form a division focused on artificial intelligence and simultaneously bring crypto expertise to the group’s fintech portfolio.

Signal Week will focus more on institutional digital assets, traditional finance, and AI-powered financial infrastructures in the future. According to Hyve, the last Paris Blockchain Week attracted more than 10,000 participants from over 100 countries; 70% of attendees were executives.

According to BeInCrypto, the RAISE Summit attracts over 9,000 AI attendees. The MACHINA Summit focuses on robotics and “physical AI.” The merger aims to connect crypto, enterprise AI, and robotics within a single event group.

Signal Week and RAISE will remain as independent brands. Hyve plans to offer organized meetings, exclusive executive-level discussions, and improved matchmaking. Furthermore, successful brands will be expanded into new markets, and year-round content and memberships will be developed.

At the same time, Hyve itself is undergoing a change of ownership. In June, the private equity firm Hellman & Friedman agreed to acquire Hyve from Providence Equity Partners and Searchlight Capital Partners. The acquisition is expected to be completed before the end of 2026.

The Financial Times estimated the value of the transaction at approximately $1.8 billion. Hyve stated that its annual EBITDA now exceeds $100 million. According to BeInCrypto, the transaction provides Hyve with additional capital for acquiring and developing conference brands, as well as for international expansion.

Crypto remains a central theme of Signal Week, but is being placed within a broader context of digital asset infrastructure, institutional markets, and AI-based financial systems. This further develops one of Europe’s largest crypto and blockchain gatherings into a more comprehensive platform for technology and finance.

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(Featured image by Numan Ali via Unsplash)

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First published in Coin Kurier. A third-party contributor translated and adapted the article from the original. In case of discrepancy, the original will prevail.

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