đ The future of Bitcoin and digital security might be under threat much earlier than many anticipated. Google has revealed that recent breakthroughs in quantum computing could significantly reduce the resources required to crack the encryption protecting crypto wallets and sensitive data.
â ď¸ Quantum Leap: From 20 Million Qubits to Under One Million
Craig Gidney, a quantum researcher at Google, stated that factoring a 2048-bit RSA key â one of the core cryptographic standards â may no longer require 20 million qubits, as he estimated in 2019. Instead, it could now be achieved with fewer than one million qubits in under a week.
This leap is possible thanks to:
đš advanced quantum algorithms,
đš improved error correction techniques,
đš and denser qubit encoding that allows for more efficient operations.
⥠Willow Chip Solves "10 Septillion-Year" Problem in 5 Minutes
In December 2024, Google unveiled its new quantum chip Willow, capable of solving a problem in five minutes that would take traditional supercomputers 10 septillion years. Critics quickly raised alarms, suggesting that such power could potentially rewrite the Bitcoin blockchain or even access dormant wallets, including those possibly linked to Satoshi Nakamoto.
đ§ What This Means for Crypto Security
Bitcoin uses elliptic curve cryptography, which is mathematically similar to RSA. If quantum computers can crack RSA faster than expected, Bitcoin's security timeline might have just shortened significantly.
Google warned that some state actors or tech rivals might already be collecting encrypted data now to decrypt later when quantum machines become viable.
𧪠Magical States and Quantum Efficiency
Google researchers also employed so-called T-states (magical quantum states) to boost computing power without increasing system load. This technique allows for more efficient operations, saving time and physical space.
đ Project 11: Quantum Bounty on Bitcoin Security
Meanwhile, Project 11, a quantum research group, has offered a $85,000 bounty to anyone who can break a simplified version of Bitcoin's encryption using a quantum computer. While the test targets short key lengths (1 to 25 bits), far below Bitcoinâs 256-bit standard, it helps assess how urgent the quantum threat really is.
The group argues that Shorâs algorithm, a key quantum technique, could eventually break Bitcoinâs elliptic curve encryption altogether.
đ Timeline: Is 2030 Too Late?
The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) recommends phasing out vulnerable systems starting in 2030. But Googleâs findings suggest this timeline may be too conservative.
Tech giants are already making moves:
đš IBM aims to build a 100,000-qubit quantum computer by 2030
đš Quantinuum plans to deliver a quantum-secure system by 2029
𧊠Bottom Line: Bitcoin Is Safe⌠For Now â But the Clock Is Ticking
Google reassures that user digital assets are currently safe. However, the trajectory of quantum progress is undeniable. The crypto industry must start preparing now if it hopes to remain secure in the quantum age.
#quantumcomputers , #BitcoinSecurity , #crypto , #BTC , #DigitalAssets
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