Quantum Computing Threat to Bitcoin Manageable, Says Bernstein
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 12 2026
0mins
Should l Buy IBM?
Source: Yahoo Finance
- Quantum Computing Advances: Bernstein's report highlights that a Google Quantum AI study has demonstrated a 20-fold reduction in qubits needed to break modern encryption; however, the leap from dozens of logical qubits to thousands that could threaten Bitcoin will take years to resolve.
- Manageable Transition Cycle: Analysts suggest that while quantum timelines have accelerated, the transition to post-quantum security is expected to be an orderly upgrade cycle rather than a catastrophic event, providing the industry with a 3-to-5-year window to shift to quantum-resistant protocols.
- Bitcoin Soft Fork Solution: The Bitcoin community is exploring post-quantum cryptographic algorithms like SPHINCS+ and Lamport signatures, planning to implement these through a soft fork upgrade to protect user funds from quantum attacks.
- Importance of User Participation: Transitioning to quantum-secure address types requires active user involvement, and analysts believe that the incentive to protect capital will ensure high adoption rates; despite the
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Analyst Views on IBM
Wall Street analysts forecast IBM stock price to rise
16 Analyst Rating
11 Buy
4 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 231.310
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
Current: 231.310
Low
210.00
Averages
315.80
High
375.00
About IBM
International Business Machines Corporation is a provider of global hybrid cloud and artificial intelligence (AI) and consulting expertise. The Company’s segments include Software, Consulting, Infrastructure and Financing. The Software segment includes hybrid cloud and AI platforms, which allow clients to realize their digital and AI transformations across the applications, data, and environments in which they operate. The Consulting segment focuses on integrating skills on strategy, experience, technology and operations by domain and industry. The Infrastructure segment is focused on the hybrid cloud infrastructure market, providing on-premises and cloud-based server and storage solutions. In addition, it offers a portfolio of life-cycle services for hybrid cloud infrastructure deployment. The Financing segment provides client and commercial financing, facilitating its clients’ acquisition of hardware, software and services. It helps clients in more than 175 countries.
About the author

Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Expansion of AI Governance Portfolio: On April 1, 2026, IBM revealed that 11 of its AI and automation software solutions, including watsonx.governance, received FedRAMP authorization, embedding governance throughout the AI lifecycle to assist agencies in managing risk, ensuring compliance, and scaling responsible AI across models, data, and applications.
- Strong Q1 Performance: IBM's first-quarter results released on April 22, 2026, showed revenue of $15.92 billion, surpassing analysts' expectations, with AI products continuing to support the business by helping clients orchestrate, deploy, and govern AI across hybrid environments.
- Investment Potential Analysis: While IBM demonstrates potential in the AI sector, analysts suggest that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk, prompting investors to monitor market dynamics for optimal investment opportunities.
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- Growing HR Influence: 59% of respondents expect the influence of Chief Human Resources Officers (CHRO) to increase, highlighting the importance of AI in talent management and training, as firms must address employee AI literacy to overcome cultural challenges.
- Ambiguity in Tech Roles: As AI matures, the responsibilities of roles like Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer have become blurred, prompting companies to establish CAIO positions to tackle infrastructure and governance challenges in AI implementation, ensuring effective transformation.
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- Trend of AI Officer Appointments: IBM's recent report reveals that 76% of surveyed companies have established a Chief AI Officer (CAIO) role, a significant increase from 26% in 2025, indicating a growing emphasis on AI transformation that could reshape organizational structures and decision-making processes.
- Growing HR Influence: The report also highlights that 59% of respondents expect the influence of Chief Human Resources Officers (CHROs) to increase, suggesting that in the context of AI proliferation, the strategic roles of talent management and training are becoming increasingly vital as companies face cultural challenges.
- Ambiguity in AI Governance: As AI technology matures, the delineation of AI responsibilities at the executive level has become unclear, with existing roles like Chief Technology Officer and Chief Information Officer complicating governance, prompting firms to establish dedicated CAIO offices to address these complexities.
- Layoffs and AI Impact: Over 101,000 tech employees have been laid off globally due to the rise of AI technologies, with analysts warning that this trend may continue; however, Bain & Company's report suggests that software-as-a-service firms could save nearly $100 billion in labor costs through automation, redirecting spending towards software.
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- IonQ's Market Outlook: IonQ (IONQ) is considered the most attractive quantum computing stock currently, showing significant commercial progress with a growing revenue base and an expanding ecosystem in networking, sensing, and security, which enhances its competitive edge in the market.
- Renewed Investment Opportunities: Analyst Julia Ostian notes that despite the overall overheated valuation in the quantum sector, IonQ's ion-based computing method is more stable than traditional superconducting circuits, and its valuation multiple is significantly lower than that of Rigetti Computing (RGTI) and D-Wave Quantum (QBTS), presenting new opportunities for risk-tolerant investors.
- Long-Term Investment in IBM: While IBM (IBM) has a relatively small quantum computing effort, its potential as a long-term investment remains appealing, especially given the complexities and rising costs associated with quantum technology, which may yield substantial returns in the future.
- Industry Dynamics Observation: Although major tech companies like Google (GOOG), Microsoft (MSFT), and Amazon (AMZN) are also involved in quantum computing, their quantum efforts are still too small to significantly drive the overall investment thesis, making IonQ a more direct way to express a bullish view on quantum computing.
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- Market Size Estimate: Analysts at William Blair project the total addressable market for the agentic AI industry to reach approximately $4 trillion, a figure that underscores the immense expectations surrounding this technology and its potential to drive rapid growth for related companies.
- Technology Definition: Agentic AI is considered the next stage in artificial intelligence, surpassing commonly used chatbots by providing more effective answers and solutions to complex problems, thereby enhancing user experience and operational efficiency.
- Industry Impact: The rise of agentic AI will enable businesses to leverage advanced automation and intelligent solutions, significantly improving operational efficiency and reducing costs, which can provide a competitive edge in the market.
- Future Outlook: The widespread adoption of agentic AI is likely to trigger a technological revolution, fostering innovation and transformation across various industries, prompting companies to strategically position themselves to seize this potential market opportunity.
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- Funding Achievement: Quantum Motion successfully raised $160 million on Thursday to develop a quantum computer that is smaller, cheaper, and more energy-efficient than its competitors, marking a significant advancement in the quantum computing sector.
- Technological Innovation: The company utilizes standard silicon chip manufacturing techniques to convert traditional transistors into high-quality qubits by manipulating the spin of a single electron, showcasing its unique and practical approach to quantum computing.
- Cost Efficiency: Quantum Motion anticipates that its quantum computers could be produced for as little as $10 million to $20 million, providing a competitive edge in the market and potentially accelerating the commercialization of quantum computing.
- Investor Backing: The funding round was co-led by DCVC and Kembara, with participation from several investors including the British Business Bank and Firgun, reflecting strong market confidence and support for quantum computing technology.
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