Galaxy Denies $9B BTC Sale Was Linked to Quantum Computing Fears
Why Did the $9B BTC Trade Draw Attention?
Galaxy Digital moved to counter speculation that a large BTC sale executed on behalf of one of its clients was tied to fears over quantum computing. The issue surfaced later than the firm’s earnings call, when members of the crypto community linked a reported $9 billion BTC transaction to comments suggesting the client was concerned about BTC’s long-term resistance to quantum advances.
The trade attracted attention because of its size and timing. It came as BTC briefly slipped below $74,000, amplifying market sensitivity around large flows and fueling theories that the sale reflected deeper structural concerns rather than portfolio management decisions.
Those theories gained traction online following references during the earnings call to client discussions around quantum risk. That interpretation was later challenged by Galaxy executives.
Investor Takeaway
Galaxy Denies Link to Quantum Computing Concerns
Alex Thorn, Galaxy’s head of research, addressed the speculation directly in a post on X, stating that the $9 billion trade was not executed because of concerns about . His comments were intended to separate the client transaction from wider debates about future cryptographic threats.
Galaxy’s clarification came alongside the release of its quarterly results. The firm reported a net loss of $482 million for the fourth quarter of 2025 and a loss of $241 million for the full year, figures that added context to the heightened scrutiny of its trading activity and client flows.
While the losses were linked to broader market conditions, the coincidence of fragile earnings and a high-profile BTC sale assisted sustain speculation before the company moved to address it.
Why Quantum Computing Keeps Returning to the BTC Debate
Concerns about are not new. Cryptographers have long debated whether future breakthroughs could fragileen existing signature schemes, and those discussions have increasingly filtered into asset management circles.
Earlier this year, Jefferies’ “Greed & Fear” strategist Christopher Wood reportedly removed his 10% BTC allocation recommendation, citing worries tied to quantum progress. The move added credibility to the idea that quantum risk is beginning to influence portfolio decisions at the margins.
Others in the industry have downplayed the urgency. has argued that quantum computers capable of threatening BTC are still decades away, estimating a timeline of 20 to 40 years before such risks become practical.
In parallel, parts of the BTC community have pushed for technical mitigation. Supporters of BTC Improvement Proposal BIP-360 are advocating for a post-quantum signature option designed to protect addresses that could be exposed if quantum capabilities advance quicker than expected.
How Market Structure and Regulation Enter the Picture
The discussion around Galaxy’s client trade unfolded against a broader backdrop of regulatory and market-structure developments in the US. In a separate interview with Bloomberg, Galaxy CEO Mike Novogratz said recent price declines may be approaching a bottom, though he cautioned that market turning points are only clear in hindsight.
Novogratz pointed to progress on the proposed US , commonly referred to as the CLARITY Act, as a potential support for sentiment. The bill is intended to define how regulatory authority is divided between the and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission.
Work on the legislation has been uneven. In January, the Senate Banking Committee delayed its markup later than raising concerns over provisions covering tokenized equities, decentralized finance, and stablecoin yield rewards. More recently, officials from the Trump administration met with crypto and banking representatives to discuss how stablecoin yield should be treated under the draft framework.
Investor Takeaway
What the Episode Says About Market Sensitivity
The reaction to Galaxy’s client trade highlights how rapidly unverified explanations can gain traction in crypto markets, especially when they touch on long-running existential themes such as quantum computing. Even without evidence, those narratives can influence sentiment and price action.
Galaxy’s response suggests that, at least for now, quantum risk remains more a topic of strategic debate than a direct trigger for large-scale BTC liquidation. Still, the fact that the explanation resonated with market participants shows how closely investors are watching both technological risks and regulatory signals as the crypto market searches for firmer footing.
