Bitcoin News: CZ Dismisses AI Hacking Fears as BTC Holds Above $81,000
Binance founder Changpeng “CZ” Zhao pushed back against concerns that artificial intelligence could break Bitcoin’s cryptography, warning instead that AI-driven scams pose a more immediate threat to cryptocurrency users. In a post on Friday, October 23, he noted that internet infrastructure and banking systems rely on similar encryption technologies. His remarks came as Bitcoin traded at $81,817, down 0.8% over 24 hours.
BTC remained above $81,000 despite recent market pressure, while large holders continued withdrawing coins from trading-related wallets. Investors are now watching whether Bitcoin can defend this support zone and regain bullish momentum as security concerns, geopolitical tensions and interest-rate uncertainty shape market sentiment.
Bitcoin News: AI Scams Pose a More Immediate Risk Than Cryptographic Attacks
AI can help identify software vulnerabilities and produce sophisticated phishing campaigns, but it cannot currently crack the mathematical foundations protecting Bitcoin private keys. CZ emphasized that the cryptographic methods used by Bitcoin also underpin online banking and secure internet communications.
Quantum computing, however, remains a longer-term concern for the cryptocurrency industry. The Quantum Alliance, a coalition of nine crypto companies, estimates that approximately 6.4 million BTC, representing around 30% of Bitcoin’s circulating supply, are held at addresses with publicly exposed keys. The figure includes coins attributed to Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto.
Predictions about when quantum computers might break existing cryptographic systems vary. Richard Carback, CTO of Postquant Labs, has identified 2028 as a possible timeframe, although other experts remain cautious about setting a firm deadline.
Developers are exploring potential defenses, including BIP-360, a proposal for quantum-resistant Bitcoin addresses. However, the initiative remains a draft rather than an implemented network upgrade.
For everyday users, the more immediate danger comes from scams that exploit personal information. Leaked email addresses, phone numbers and purchase histories can help attackers impersonate exchanges, wallet providers and other trusted services. AI allows criminals to create convincing, personalized messages at scale, making fraudulent communications harder to recognize.
Chainalysis reported that AI-enabled scams generated 4.5 times more revenue per scam than traditional operations in 2025. Impersonation scams also increased by more than 1,400%, while total cryptocurrency scam revenue reached an estimated $17 billion.
CZ issued another security warning earlier in the week after two critical PHP vulnerabilities exposed millions of servers to potential attacks. His latest comments reinforce the distinction between threats to Bitcoin’s underlying technology and attacks targeting its users.
Bitcoin Price Analysis: BTC Must Clear $82,850 to Strengthen Recovery
Bitcoin has defended the $81,000 region during two recent tests. The cryptocurrency dropped to $80,940 on Thursday and $81,118 on Friday, remaining above its 50-day exponential moving average at $80,880 on both occasions.
On-chain activity also points to continued accumulation by large wallets. Since October 1, 40 newly created wallets have withdrawn 9,458 BTC, worth approximately $771.5 million, from market maker Wintermute. Although these withdrawals do not necessarily confirm fresh buying, they suggest that substantial amounts of Bitcoin are moving away from the trading venue.
The immediate resistance range sits between $82,100 and $82,850, where four-hour moving averages converge with a previous price high. A sustained break above this zone could improve the short-term outlook.
Bitcoin would need to reclaim $84,900, Wednesday’s high, to signal a stronger recovery. Conversely, a daily close below $80,394 could expose the 200-day EMA near $76,200, increasing the risk of another downward move.
Oil, Fed Policy and Elections Could Determine Bitcoin’s Next Move
Oil prices remain a significant source of uncertainty. Brent crude is trading near $114 per barrel amid disruptions around the Strait of Hormuz and the continuing U.S. blockade of Iranian oil. The New York Times reported that U.S. and Israeli forces had developed plans for possible renewed strikes against Iran after the midterm elections, although no action had been approved.
Federal Reserve policy presents another challenge for Bitcoin bulls. Following September’s rate increase to 3.75%–4.00%, expectations for near-term monetary easing have weakened. Prediction-market data compiled by DeFi Rate showed approximately 94% odds of no change at the October 28 meeting, while the probability of another rate increase in December exceeded 70%.
The November 3 U.S. midterm elections could also affect cryptocurrency policy. Polymarket assigned Democrats a 92.5% chance of winning the House and a 68.5% probability of taking the Senate. A divided political landscape could complicate efforts to advance cryptocurrency legislation in the coming year.
For now, Bitcoin’s immediate challenge is to maintain support around $81,000 and break through nearby resistance. While AI is not currently capable of undermining Bitcoin’s cryptography, rising oil prices, restrictive monetary policy and election uncertainty could prove more influential in determining whether BTC rebounds or extends its decline.
