Quantum computing is becoming a near-term planning issue for crypto because advances in quantum hardware and cryptanalytic research shorten the timeline for attacks on public-key cryptography. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm could break RSA and elliptic-curve cryptography, including ECDSA and Ed25519, which secure Bitcoin, Ethereum, and many other blockchain systems. Quantus estimates more than $2 trillion in digital assets remain protected by schemes that could be compromised. Bitcoin quantum-safe signatures could require far more space, potentially growing about 70x and straining block space and throughput. NIST finalized post-quantum standards in 2024, while blockchain migration is harder than traditional software updates because public keys are visible on-chain and multiple stakeholders must coordinate.
"Quantus warned that $2T in crypto faces quantum risks as bitcoin and ethereum lag in migration. Bitcoin quantum-safe signatures could grow 70x, straining block space and throughput. NIST finalized post-quantum standards in 2024 as Quantus targets a 2030 threat window."
"At the center of the concern is Shor's algorithm. The math has been known for decades: a large enough quantum computer could break RSA and elliptic-curve cryptography, including ECDSA and Ed25519. Those signature schemes secure bitcoin, ethereum and many other blockchain systems. Source: Quantus State of Quantum Report The difference now is pace."
"Quantus points to recent work from Google, IBM, Quantinuum, and other researchers as evidence that error correction, gate fidelity, and resource estimates are improving faster than many crypto teams expected. The report says the planning horizon has shifted toward 2030, not some abstract point decades away."
"Traditional internet companies can rotate cryptography through software updates. Blockchains face a much harder task. Public keys are visible forever once exposed on-chain. Users control their own assets. Wallet makers, exchanges, custodians, validators, and governance bodies would all need to coordinate a transition."
#post-quantum-cryptography #quantum-computing-risk #blockchain-security #shors-algorithm #nist-pq-standards
Read at news.bitcoin.com
Unable to calculate read time
Collection
[
|
...
]