Quantum computing is beginning to factor into institutional assessments of Bitcoin, even before the network faces a direct attack. Stacks founder Muneeb Ali says Bitcoin needs a credible post-quantum upgrade roadmap, while Ripple has received final approval for a U.S. national trust bank. Separately, USDC has overtaken USDt in euro-denominated stablecoin trading, and VanEck has launched a multi-asset ETF with limited Bitcoin exposure. Together, the developments highlight how security concerns, regulation and traditional investment products are evolving alongside the crypto market.
Ali calls for Bitcoin quantum upgrades by 2028
Speaking on Cointelegraph’s Chain Reaction podcast, Ali said Bitcoin could face more serious security challenges if it does not make substantial progress on post-quantum security by 2028. He identified 2030 as a target for completing the transition, citing guidance from the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). Advances in artificial intelligence could accelerate technical development and leave less time to prepare, he added.
The work involves more than reaching agreement among developers on a technical approach. Even after a proposal is settled, implementation could take years, and Bitcoin holders would need time to move their coins to quantum-resistant addresses. The network’s upgrade history has often been lengthy and contentious, potentially narrowing the time available for a transition.
Ali said views differ across the industry on how imminent the threat is, but that uncertainty alone could weigh on investor confidence. He said quantum risk is already affecting Bitcoin’s appeal to institutional investors. U.S. spot Bitcoin ETFs have more than $104 billion in net assets, but long-term security concerns could complicate assessments by institutions that view Bitcoin as a hedge against currency debasement. If quantum technology eventually breaks Bitcoin’s security, the consequences could extend across the broader crypto market.
Ripple receives final approval for national trust bank
The Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) has granted final approval to Ripple National Trust Bank. Ripple received conditional approval in December 2025; the latest decision clears the final regulatory hurdle to establishing the bank. Under federal oversight, the institution will manage reserves backing the RLUSD stablecoin, act as collateral trustee for token holders and provide digital-asset custody services.
RLUSD will continue to be issued by Standard Custody & Trust Company, which is regulated by the New York State Department of Financial Services. Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse welcomed the approval, saying the crypto industry and banks can work more effectively together.
Circle received similar final approval in July. Coinbase, Crypto.com and Bridge, which is owned by Stripe, remain at the conditional-approval stage. National trust banks have different powers from conventional commercial banks: they generally cannot take deposits or make loans, and their deposits are not covered by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC).
USDC reaches 56% of euro stablecoin trading
USDC, issued by Circle, has overtaken Tether’s USDt to become the leading stablecoin in euro-denominated trading, according to a new report from Kaiko. USDC now accounts for 56% of the volume, up from 10% in January 2024. The shift accelerated after the European Union’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCA) took effect, prompting some major exchanges to restrict USDt trading for customers in the European Economic Area to meet regulatory requirements.
Liquidity measures have also diverged: order-book depth for euro-USDC trading is now about 40% higher than for USDt. Globally, however, USDt remains the dominant stablecoin, with circulating supply around 2.5 times that of USDC.
The European Banking Authority has designated USDC the EU’s first “significant e-money token,” bringing it under additional oversight. Kaiko said whether the U.S. GENIUS Act produces a similar shift in trading will depend on how exchanges implement the new requirements.
VanEck ETF targets a 2% Bitcoin allocation
VanEck, which manages $244 billion in assets, has launched the actively managed VanEck Wealth Builder ETF (NYSE: WBMO). Announced Tuesday, the fund invests in ETFs issued by VanEck and other providers, combining traditional equities, bonds and real assets with a small Bitcoin allocation.
The fund targets a 2% Bitcoin allocation, with the actual share able to range from 1% to 5%. WBMO will not hold Bitcoin directly; it will gain exposure through spot Bitcoin exchange-traded products. The launch packages VanEck’s existing Wealth Builder model portfolios into a single ETF.
David Schassler, head of multi-asset solutions at VanEck, said the traditional 60/40 stock-and-bond portfolio was designed for a different investment environment. He said real assets can help address a broader range of economic conditions, with Bitcoin now included at a modest weight. Investors will access the fund’s Bitcoin exposure through exchange-traded products rather than direct ownership.