Quantum Computers Just Got Closer to Cracking Bitcoin

Quantum computing has been one of those futuristic ideas people love to talk about but often file under “we’ll deal with that later.” Well, “later” might be showing up a little sooner than expected. The idea that quantum computing Bitcoin attacks could happen in the next decade is making some in crypto rethink security. A recent breakthrough from Google’s Quantum AI team is raising new concerns about Bitcoin’s long-term security, and it’s starting to feel a little more real.

What Google Found

Right now, quantum computing Bitcoin threats are mostly theoretical, but experts say it’s time to start preparing. However, researchers at Google have been studying how quantum computers might eventually break modern encryption. Their latest findings? It might not take nearly as many quantum resources as we thought. They’ve found a way to break RSA-2048 encryption using 20 times fewer quantum bits (qubits) than previous models required.

Google’s quantum team found that breaking RSA encryption—used in Bitcoin wallets and banking—may require 20 times fewer qubits than previously thought. Researcher Craig Gidney said a 2048-bit RSA key could now be cracked in under a week using fewer than 1 million noisy qubits,…

— Wu Blockchain (@WuBlockchain) May 27, 2025

Now, Bitcoin doesn’t use RSA encryption, but it does rely on elliptic curve cryptography, which, like RSA, could one day be vulnerable to quantum attacks. If a strong enough quantum computer runs the right algorithm, like Shor’s algorithm, it could theoretically uncover a Bitcoin user’s private key just from the public information tied to a wallet.

Why This Matters for Bitcoin

Here’s the issue in plain terms: if someone can figure out your private key, they can move your coins. You don’t need to hand it over. They can just take it. That’s why people are suddenly talking about something called “Q-Day,” the moment quantum computers are strong enough to break the encryption protecting our digital assets.

Estimates for when Q-Day might arrive vary, but many experts say we’re probably within a 5 to 10-year window. That’s not tomorrow, but it’s definitely not “later” anymore.

This follows a warning by BlackRock, claiming that if quantum computers get powerful enough, they could break Bitcoin’s security and put people’s funds at risk.

BlackRock Warns: Quantum Tech Could Threaten Bitcoin Security

BlackRock just updated its Bitcoin ETF filing with a new clause highlighting a major risk: Quantum computers may one day crack the cryptography securing Bitcoin and much of our digital world. pic.twitter.com/asgz8iXSOX

— Crypto Hub (@Cryptonichub) May 26, 2025

Such a scenario could make current encryption useless, allowing quantum-powered attacks to expose and drain Bitcoin wallets.

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Are We in Danger Right Now?

Not yet. The kind of quantum computers needed to pull this off still don’t exist, at least not at a scale that poses a direct threat. But Google’s research shows that we might be closer than expected, which means the crypto world can’t afford to ignore it.

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Right now, only wallets that have exposed their public key are even remotely vulnerable, and most modern wallets are built to avoid that. Still, once a transaction is made, the public key becomes visible. That means old, unused addresses that haven’t moved coins in years could eventually become targets.

What’s Being Done About It?

Fortunately, people are already working on solutions. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been developing quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, and some are already being tested. Private companies like NordVPN have also started experimenting with quantum-safe encryption for internet traffic.

In the crypto space, upgrading to post-quantum security would be a big deal. It could require a hard fork, which means rewriting part of the network’s rules, and that’s not something the community takes lightly. But if the alternative is losing trust in Bitcoin’s safety, it’s a conversation that will need to happen.

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Looking Ahead

Quantum computing isn’t an immediate crisis, but it’s no longer just theory. Google’s latest research is a reminder that technology moves fast, and crypto needs to be ready. If quantum computing Bitcoin attacks ever become possible, it could mean stolen wallets and broken encryption across the network. Whether Q-Day is five years away or fifteen, the work to protect Bitcoin should start now, not after the fact.

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Key Takeaways

Google’s Quantum AI team has discovered a method to break RSA-2048 encryption using 20 times fewer qubits, raising fresh concerns for Bitcoin’s future security.

While Bitcoin doesn’t use RSA, its reliance on elliptic curve cryptography could still be vulnerable to quantum attacks like those using Shor’s algorithm.

The term “Q-Day” refers to the hypothetical moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to crack Bitcoin wallets and steal funds.

Experts estimate Q-Day could arrive within 5 to 10 years, prompting growing urgency for quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions.

Post-quantum security upgrades for Bitcoin may require a hard fork, but ignoring the threat risks undermining the network’s long-term trust and safety.

The post Quantum Computers Just Got Closer to Cracking Bitcoin appeared first on 99Bitcoins.

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