Quantum technology
Quantum technology makes it possible to process incredible amounts of data and solve complex problems in just a few seconds, tasks that would take classical computers decades to complete. It emerged at the beginning of the 20th century from quantum mechanics, a branch of physics that studies the behavior of matter and energy at the microscopic level, such as atoms and subatomic particles. Today, it is used in many modern technologies, from lasers and MRI machines to quantum computers that can be up to 300,000 times faster than today’s. Google’s new Willow quantum chip further reduces data processing time and could potentially provide hackers with tools to crack the algorithms that protect Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies.
Although experts such as Adam Back and Michael Saylor argue that quantum threats to Bitcoin are not yet realistic, as they require extremely advanced hardware that is years away from application, the development of quantum computers is advancing rapidly. Bitcoin is not yet fully quantum secure, but the community is already working on solutions that would strengthen the network and protect it from possible encryption breaches. For now, quantum risks remain more theoretical than real, but important enough to merit attention.
Fun fact: Albert Einstein laid the foundations of quantum mechanics with his work on the photoelectric effect, for which he won the Nobel Prize, and not for the theory of relativity, as many think.
Source: cointelegraph
How Quantum Technology Could Break Bitcoin Wallets
Quantum computers could have a significant impact on Bitcoin because they have the potential to compromise the very cryptography that protects its network. The topic of the relationship between quantum computing and Bitcoin has been causing debate for years, and for good reason. If quantum technology becomes powerful enough, it could exploit vulnerabilities in the asymmetric cryptography that secures Bitcoin wallets and potentially break them. The
The real risk arises if a quantum computer manages to compute a private key from a public key. Since the private key gives full access to funds, compromising it means losing Bitcoin. Mathematician Peter Shor developed a quantum algorithm in 1994 that can break the security of asymmetric cryptography. While traditional computers would require enormous resources and time to do this, Shor’s algorithm could speed up the process considerably. If someone with a powerful enough quantum computer used this algorithm, they could calculate the private key from the public key and fake the digital signatures of transactions.
Such a possibility is not yet a real threat because quantum computers are currently far from the required power. Experts, including
Fun fact: The progress of quantum computers is measured by the number of qubits, the basic units of quantum information. Today’s most powerful quantum computers have between 100 and 1,000 qubits, while it would take between 13 and as many as 300 million qubits to break Bitcoin’s security.
Source: cointelegraph
Can quantum computers get back lost Bitcoin?
It is estimated that between 2.3 and 3.7 million Bitcoins have been permanently lost, accounting for about 11 to 18 percent of the total fixed supply of 21 million. If quantum technology one day allows these lost wallets to return to circulation, it could significantly change market dynamics. It is enough to think of the coins belonging to Satoshi Nakamoto himself, of which there are about a million. If a quantum computer were able to break the encryption of its wallet and release those Bitcoins into circulation, the consequences could cause major shocks in the market.
Quantum computers could theoretically recover lost Bitcoins by cracking cryptographic keys that protect wallets whose private keys are lost or inaccessible. Such wallets are often among the oldest and use an early pay-to-public-key (P2PK) format that has never been updated. Since no one maintains them anymore, these wallets are particularly vulnerable. Advances in quantum technology could one day exploit these weaknesses and unlock long-dormant addresses.
In May 2025, global investment giant BlackRock warned in its report for the iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) that quantum computing poses a serious long-term risk to Bitcoin’s security as it could break existing cryptographic defense mechanisms.
The recovery of lost Bitcoins also raises a number of ethical and economic questions. The introduction of these coins back into circulation could undermine Bitcoin’s basic characteristic, its limited supply, which could also change its market value. Some experts, such as Jameson Lopp, believe that lost coins should be permanently destroyed to preserve the network and its integrity, while others suggest redistributing them as a way to balance wealth.
Source: cointelegraph
What can you do to protect your Bitcoin?
Protecting your Bitcoin starts with reducing your public key exposure. While quantum threats still seem distant, it’s important to employ good security practices because crypto fraud and theft are a constant danger. Phishing attacks are still among the most common forms of fraud, and the so-called “zero-value” fraud, in which attackers insert a fake address into the transaction history of the attacked wallet, is becoming more common. When a user initiates a new transaction, they can easily accidentally select the wrong address from their history, without anyone having to compromise their private key.
About 25 percent of all Bitcoins are stored in addresses that use pay-to-public-key (P2PK) or pay-to-public-key-hash (P2PKH) formats, often with the same addresses being reused. Such methods reveal the public key associated with the user’s address and thus increase vulnerability to quantum attacks, especially through the Shor algorithm.
The best thing you can do is avoid reusing addresses and use wallets that automatically generate a new address for each transaction. Platforms that support Taproot and SegWit provide better protection as they allow for more efficient and secure transactions. In addition, pay special attention when sending funds to your own addresses and always check that it is the right recipient.
Another common threat is the so-called “address poisoning,” a technique in which scammers send small amounts from addresses that appear almost identically legitimate. Their goal is to get the user to copy the wrong address on the next transaction, which has led to the loss of millions of dollars in the crypto world.
Source: cointelegraph
Bitcoin's Resistance to Quantum Computers
Bitcoin remains resistant to quantum threats for now, while researchers around the world are developing quantum-resistant wallets and protocols that should secure its future. Although quantum computers are advancing rapidly, the network is decentralized and open-source, allowing it to adapt quickly to new technologies. Research shows that there is currently no immediate threat to Bitcoin’s security, but the community is actively preparing for a future in which quantum computing will have an increasing impact.
In the meantime, users should follow security best practices, such as avoiding reusing addresses and using modern wallets with advanced encryption protocols, until quantum-secure cryptocurrencies and wallets become fully available.
One of the most important initiatives to protect Bitcoin from quantum threats is the QRAMP protocol proposed by Bitcoin developer
Experts are also working to develop advanced quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques that could further strengthen Bitcoin. Such solutions could improve network scalability, enable the creation of near-impenetrable wallets, and further strengthen encryption. Thanks to this constant evolution, Bitcoin has a real chance not only to survive, but also to thrive in the new quantum world.
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