Arvind Krishna, CEO of International Business Machines (IBM), a global technology company at the forefront of quantum computing, warned that quantum computing could pose a serious threat to c
Arvind Krishna, CEO of International Business Machines (IBM), a global technology company at the forefront of quantum computing, warned that quantum computing could pose a serious threat to cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin within the next few years.
During a July 31 interview on CNBC's Mad Money, Cramer asked Krishna whether advances in quantum computing could eventually crack the cryptographic equations protecting his crypto holdings.
"I think that you should give yourself three or four years, and at that point, I would get rather paranoid about it," Krishna replied.
Cramer appeared surprised by the timeline, responding, "Three or four years? That's not that long," before telling viewers, "People should listen to that."
Days later, on Aug. 3, Cramer said he would sell his Bitcoin based on Krishna's warning.
"I am going to sell my Bitcoin."
Cramer added that while Bitcoin supporters may disagree, he trusted Krishna's assessment because "he knows Bitcoin and quantum."
Related: Elon Musk backs bullish case for SpaceX investors ahead of first earnings report
Quantum computers could eventually break the public-key cryptography securing Bitcoin, Ethereum and most other cryptocurrencies by solving mathematical problems that are practically impossible for today's computers.
While no quantum computer currently has that capability, researchers and industry leaders have increasingly warned that the timeline may be shorter than previously expected.
Google researchers said in March that advances in quantum computing could reduce the hardware required to attack Bitcoin's cryptography by roughly 20-fold compared with earlier estimates, although the technology remains years away from practical deployment.
The growing focus on quantum risks has sparked efforts across the crypto industry to develop quantum-resistant cryptography.
Bitcoin developers have proposed upgrades, including new address formats designed to support post-quantum signatures, while Ethereum researchers are targeting a transition to quantum-safe cryptography later this decade.
Cramer has repeatedly shifted his stance on Bitcoin over the years.
After previously dismissing the asset following the FTX collapse, he later described Bitcoin as "a great thing to have in your portfolio" in January 2025, urging investors to own Bitcoin directly rather than shares of Strategy, the Michael Saylor-led company that has built the world’s largest corporate Bitcoin treasury.
At the time of writing, Bitcoin traded at $63,808, up 0.49% over the previous 24 hours.
Related: What Wall Street expects from Circle, MARA, Galaxy earnings this week
