Google has announced significant progress in quantum computing technology, reducing the computational resources needed to break modern encryption algorithms like RSA by 20 times. NYDIG, a company specializing in Bitcoin innovations, warned that this development could jeopardize Bitcoin's security in the future, although it is not under direct threat currently.
Previously, breaking RSA encryption required a quantum computer with a power of 20 million qubits, but Google has reduced this number to just one million qubits thanks to recent technological advancements. However, current quantum computers remain limited (between 100 to 1000 qubits), meaning that actual hacking is not yet possible.
As for Bitcoin, it does not use the RSA algorithm but relies on ECDSA or Schnorr signatures, which may become vulnerable to quantum attacks in the future. Fortunately, extensive research is being conducted on post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to develop secure alternatives, although these new algorithms will be larger and slower in performance, which may affect the efficiency of the Bitcoin network and user experience.
Summary:
- Google has reduced the requirements to break RSA encryption to just one million qubits.
- Bitcoin may face future quantum risks despite using different algorithms.
- Proposed solutions (like PQC) may increase the complexity of the network and reduce its efficiency.