New quantum model slashes hardware needed to break bitcoin keys by 17 times
Researchers have published a new quantum computing model that reduces the hardware requirements needed to crack Bitcoin's elliptic curve cryptography by a factor of 17, according to a report from CoinDesk. The breakthrough significantly lowers the threshold of quantum resources previously thought necessary to compromise Bitcoin's private key infrastructure, potentially accelerating the timeline for when such an attack could become feasible.
Bitcoin's security relies on elliptic curve digital signature algorithm (ECDSA) encryption, which protects private keys and, by extension, user funds. Prior estimates suggested that breaking this encryption would require millions of physical qubits operating with extremely low error rates — a capability considered decades away. The new model challenges those assumptions by demonstrating greater computational efficiency in the attack methodology.
The development has drawn attention from security researchers and institutional players in the cryptocurrency space, as it raises fresh questions about the long-term viability of current cryptographic standards. Industry stakeholders have pointed to ongoing efforts around post-quantum cryptography as a necessary defensive measure, with organizations such as NIST already advancing quantum-resistant encryption standards for broader adoption.
Analysts and developers will be closely watching how Bitcoin's core development community responds to the findings, particularly regarding any proposals to integrate quantum-resistant signature schemes into the protocol. The timeline for practical quantum threats remains uncertain, but this research is expected to intensify discussions around cryptographic upgrades across the broader blockchain ecosystem.
Source: CoinDesk
