Adam Back slams Bitcoiner VC for ‘uninformed noise’ about quantum risk

Blockstream CEO Adam Back just called out Castle Island Ventures founding partner Nic Carter for amplifying quantum computing FUD around Bitcoin. In a spicy X post, Back accused Carter of making “uninformed noise” and trying to “move the market or something.” He dropped the mic with: “You’re not helping.”

The drama started after Carter explained why Castle Island Ventures invested in Project Eleven — a startup building quantum-resistant crypto security. Back fired back, saying the Bitcoin community isn’t in denial; they’re just working on quantum-proofing “quietly.” Carter clapped back, arguing many Bitcoin devs are still in “total denial” about the quantum threat.

Carter first disclosed the investment in a Substack post on Oct. 20 — and made sure everyone knew he was transparent AF. He said Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden “quantum pilled” him, making him “extremely concerned” about quantum threats to blockchains. “I put capital behind my convictions, always have,” Carter declared.

Carter isn’t the only one sounding the alarm. Capriole Investments founder Charles Edwards warned that quantum computing could crack Bitcoin within 2–9 years if the network doesn’t upgrade to quantum-resistant cryptography.

But not everyone’s sweating it. Multimillionaire entrepreneur Kevin O’Leary told Cointelegraph Magazine that using quantum to attack Bitcoin would be a waste — it’s way more valuable for AI-driven medical research. And Back himself said Bitcoin should be “quantum ready,” but the tech is still “ridiculously early” and won’t be a real threat for decades.