'Bitcoin cracked in 9 minutes': BTC bulls scramble for post-quantum protection as Google drops bombshell paper

Google's recent findings reveal that breaking Bitcoin's cryptographic security may require significantly fewer computational resources than previously estimated – approximately 20 times fewer qubits. This discovery, detailed in a whitepaper, has spurred a strong reaction within the crypto industry, with experts warning that quantum computers could potentially crack Bitcoin private keys in as little as nine minutes once a transaction exposes a public key. Industry leaders like Haseeb Qureshi of Dragonfly emphasize that a transition plan to post-quantum cryptography is now 'no longer a drill.' The research highlights that approximately one-third of all Bitcoin, including holdings potentially belonging to Satoshi Nakamoto, is vulnerable due to exposed public keys. While Ethereum is further ahead in its preparation with initiatives like pq.ethereum.org, Bitcoin faces challenges due to its decentralized nature and consensus requirements for upgrades. The urgency is amplified by concerns that advancements in quantum computing may be occurring in secrecy, potentially shortening the timeframe for action. Experts agree that while the threat isn't immediate, proactive measures are crucial to safeguard Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies against future quantum attacks.

(Source：CoinDesk)