Google: Quantum computers accelerate threat to Bitcoin

Google warns that quantum computers could break Bitcoin and Ethereum with under 500,000 qubits, enabling private key extraction in 9–12 minutes and threatening transaction security.

Google has released a study revealing that quantum computers could compromise the cryptography securing Bitcoin and Ethereum much faster than previously believed. The research suggests that breaking the elliptic curve-based protections of these blockchains would require fewer than 500,000 physical qubits—about 20 times less than earlier estimates. Researchers simulated two quantum algorithms capable of extracting a Bitcoin private key in just 9–12 minutes, which is similar to the average block confirmation time. This means an attacker could intercept a public key during a transaction and compute the private key quickly enough to steal funds before the transaction is confirmed. Google's findings, echoed by international media, highlight that the threat of quantum attacks is more imminent than expected. The company urges the crypto community to accelerate the adoption of quantum-resistant solutions to safeguard digital assets.