Google’s New Quantum Research Reignites Push to Harden Bitcoin

New research from Google's quantum division indicates that future quantum computers could break widely used encryption, including the elliptic curve cryptography underpinning Bitcoin wallets, much more efficiently than previously estimated. While current quantum computers are insufficient for such an attack, the research narrows the theoretical gap, shifting focus toward preparation. Bitcoin faces specific structural risks, as roughly one-third of its supply sits in addresses with exposed public keys, and transactions are vulnerable during the brief window before confirmation. Developers are addressing this through proposals like BIP 360, which introduces quantum-resistant transaction formats, though full migration across the decentralized network could take years due to coordination challenges. The quantum threat extends beyond cryptocurrency, affecting banking and government communications, with concerns about 'store now, decrypt later' attacks already underway.

(Source：Bitcoin Magazine)