Quantum Money, the apotheosis of cypherpunk

Diamond Rhino

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Quantum Money, the apotheosis of cypherpunk

From the quantum threat to the post-quantum promise of electronic money that truly works as cash

Brady Dale

Feb 08, 2026

Images in this are based on ones found in *Atomic Comics #4* (1946) and *Captain Science #7* (1951)

This podcast covers a new twist on the intersection of cryptocurrency and quantum computing. It’s got a wow factor.

If you think the quantum threat to Bitcoin is controversial, wait until you see what can be uncovered when you start to look into quantum applications.

There’s an idea that’s been floating around out there since 25 years before Satoshi dreamed up Bitcoin: Quantum Money.

We say BTC works like cash, but that’s not really true. If I hand you a dollar, no one has to witness that. The dollar in your pocket is the proof that you have it. The location of the dollar is the ledger.

No one needs to witness a cash transaction.

Bitcoin itself witnesses bitcoin transactions. We don’t mind. We like Bitcoin. It’s neutral. But there are trade-offs there. For example, Chainalysis and Elliptic are always watching. They can probably figure out who we are.

What if there were an electronic money that didn’t need witnesses?

That’s the promise of quantum money.

Quantum money allows the creation of objects, like physical coins, that can work over the internet. In fact, it may even be better than the internet? We may not even need wires. This stuff all gets super weird.

It’s like peering through Alice’s looking-glass.

All of this is completely theoretical. It’s a long way off. But it’s cool enough that maybe, just maybe, it allows a crypto stan to look at the future with less dread. To maybe even look ahead and feel a little dazzled.

Were you dazzled? It would be great to hear your thoughts.