Google’s new research has surprised experts in the cryptocurrency world. It suggests that quantum computers could break the security of major blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum much sooner and with less powerful hardware than previously thought.
Google Quantum AI scientists have made significant progress in developing algorithms that can break complex codes using quantum computing.
Research reveals that the security behind many cryptocurrencies isn’t as strong as we thought, making them more susceptible to attacks.
HyperLiquid (HYPE) Secures Golden Cross, Did XRP Reach Bottom? Bitcoin (BTC) Price Recovery Has Already Begun: Crypto Market Review
Bitcoin Lighting Gets Major Adoption Boost in US
A 20-fold reduction in required hardware
For a long time, people in the cryptocurrency world have understood that powerful quantum computers could eventually break the complex math problem (specifically, ECDLP-256) that keeps digital wallets secure. Most experts believed this would need quantum computers with millions of processing units, called qubits.
Google has demonstrated quantum circuits that can solve ECDLP-256, a difficult mathematical problem used in many security systems. These circuits need between 1,200 and 1,450 logical qubits to operate.
Google believes these calculations could be performed on a superconducting quantum computer with under 500,000 qubits in a matter of minutes.
“Mempool attacks”
Because Bitcoin takes about 10 minutes to create a new block, a powerful quantum computer that could break a private key in less than 9 minutes could enable serious attacks on the network, known as “mempool attacks.”
Hackers are now watching the Bitcoin network for ongoing transactions. Project Eleven recently discovered that while they previously believed it would take months for a quantum computer to pose a threat, allowing time to secure funds, a powerful quantum computer could now potentially break the encryption protecting Bitcoin wallets in just nine minutes. This makes so-called ‘mempool attacks’ – where transactions are intercepted and manipulated – a very real and immediate danger.
According to Google’s data, the researcher found that quantum computers could potentially compromise the top 1,000 Ethereum wallets in under a week and a half.
Accelerated “Q-Day”
Justin Drake, an Ethereum researcher who recently contributed to a Google Quantum AI paper, called the new advancements a major milestone for both quantum computing and the field of cryptography.
Drake cautioned those involved in cryptocurrency about the potential arrival of “Q-day” – the point when a quantum computer could break the security of blockchains.
Drake warned that cutting-edge AI algorithms are likely to be restricted in the future. This could happen through deliberate censorship, or because developers choose to limit them for ethical or business reasons, or due to pressure from governments. He suggested a lack of new research appearing in academic journals would be a key indicator of this trend.
Read More
- United Airlines can now kick passengers off flights and ban them for not using headphones
- All Itzaland Animal Locations in Infinity Nikki
- How to Complete Bloom of Tranquility Challenge in Infinity Nikki
- Katanire’s Yae Miko Cosplay: Genshin Impact Masterpiece
- How to Get to the Undercoast in Esoteric Ebb
- Crimson Desert: Disconnected Truth Puzzle Guide
- Gold Rate Forecast
- A Dark Scream Theory Rewrites the Only Movie to Break the 2-Killer Rule
- All Golden Ball Locations in Yakuza Kiwami 3 & Dark Ties
- BloxStrike codes (March 2026)
2026-03-31 11:27