NYDIG Warns: Google's Quantum Research Could Threaten Bitcoin

Gate News bot 消息，06月26日，NYDIG published an article exploring Google's recent quantum computing breakthrough that could potentially break RSA encryption with only 1 million qubits, down from 20 million qubits estimated years ago. While Bitcoin is not immediately at risk, NYDIG warns that quantum attacks on cryptocurrency are inevitable.

Google's quantum computing advancements have significantly reduced the processing power needed to break RSA encryption, one of the most widely used encryption algorithms. Although Bitcoin uses different encryption methods (ECDSA or Schnorr signatures rather than RSA), NYDIG cautions that these could also become vulnerable to quantum cryptographic attacks in the future.

Post-quantum cryptography research is underway, with several PQC digital signatures already existing. However, implementing these solutions would come with tradeoffs including larger keys and signatures, requiring more time for signing and verification, which would impact Bitcoin's performance and efficiency.

Currently, quantum computers only have between 100-1000 qubits, far below the required capability to pose an immediate threat. Nevertheless, the Bitcoin community largely agrees that upgrading the existing signature scheme will eventually be necessary.