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31 Mar 2026, 21:10

Google accelerates its post-quantum cryptography timeline to 2029 in its latest research

Google Quantum AI has released research showing that breaking Bitcoin’s encryption may require significantly fewer quantum resources than previously estimated. This discovery could potentially unlock billions of dollars in funds dormant due to private key losses. While Google’s discovery benefits individuals with no access to their fortunes, as Elon Musk promptly pointed out, it also poses a significant risk to the safety of other active wallets. What did Google discover about quantum computers and Bitcoin? Google Quantum AI’s new whitepaper demonstrates that cracking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography (secp256k1) requires roughly 20 times fewer quantum resources than previously believed. The research shows an attack could run on approximately 1,200 logical qubits with around 90 million Toffoli gate operations. On a superconducting quantum computer with fewer than 500,000 physical qubits, researchers estimate the attack could recover a private key in minutes, and maybe even faster than Bitcoin’s 10-minute block time. However, today’s most advanced quantum chips have only around 1,000 qubits. The Google team has set a target timeline of 2029 for completing the transition to post-quantum cryptography, which is significantly earlier than previous estimates. In order not to reveal any methods of attack, the company chose not to publish the actual quantum circuits behind its findings and instead had its researchers release a zero-knowledge proof. Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake, who contributed to the paper, said his confidence in “Q-Day” occurring by 2032 has “shot up significantly.” Drake defines Q-Day as the moment a quantum computer successfully recovers an ECDSA private key from an exposed public key. Researchers have identified two distinct attack scenarios. The first, which will become an immediate threat once powerful enough quantum computers are created, is a mempool attack, where the computer captures public keys from pending transactions, cracks the private key within minutes, and then replaces the original transaction with one paying higher fees. The second scenario involves offline harvesting. This targets early Bitcoin addresses using the Pay-to-Public-Key (P2PK) format, where public keys are permanently exposed on the blockchain. Attackers could stockpile this data now and crack it later once quantum computers become available. This affects approximately 6% of the total Bitcoin supply, representing over $380 billion at current market values. Who are the people waiting for access to lost Bitcoin? “On the plus side, if you forgot the password to your wallet, it will be accessible in the future,” Elon Musk posted on X in response to the news. James Howells has become the most recognizable face of lost Bitcoin stories. In 2013, his former partner accidentally threw away a hard drive containing 8,000 Bitcoins that he had mined in 2009. At current prices, those coins are worth over $530 million. For more than a decade, Howells has fought to excavate a landfill in Newport, Wales, where the hard drive was dumped. His efforts have included offering the city council a substantial share of the recovered Bitcoin, proposing advanced recovery plans involving artificial intelligence and Boston Dynamics robot dogs, and pursuing legal action. In January 2025, a High Court judge dismissed his case, ruling there were no “reasonable grounds” to proceed and “no realistic prospect” of success even if he was allowed to try. The court also determined that once the waste was delivered to the landfill, it became the legal property of that town. Howells intends to file an appeal, representing himself with the help of artificial intelligence tools. Another high-profile case involves Stefan Thomas, the former chief technology officer of Ripple, who lost access to an IronKey hard drive containing 7,002 Bitcoins deposited in 2011. The device permanently erases its contents after 10 incorrect password attempts, and Thomas has publicly stated he has only two attempts remaining before the 7002 BTC, now worth approximately $640 million, is gone for good. These situations are now being represented in movies. Like in Netflix’s upcoming romantic comedy “One Last Attempt,” starring Jennifer Garner. The film follows a divorced couple who win cryptocurrency on a cruise ship but forget their wallet password, and they have 48 hours to regain access before the claim expires. The crypto card with no spending limits. Get 3% cashback and instant mobile payments. Claim your Ether.fi card.

31 Mar 2026, 21:02

Pundit: It’s Happening Again, XRP and Crypto Holders Read This

Crypto commentator X Finance Bull has published a post on X outlining a sequence of events that have delayed progress on the CLARITY Act and created uncertainty for the digital asset industry. The post presents a development timeline between January and late March 2026, focusing on what he describes as repeated interventions by Coinbase that halted legislative momentum. According to the post, the CLARITY Act had already secured approval in the House of Representatives with bipartisan support, passing by a vote of 294 to 134. The legislation aims to establish clear distinctions between commodities and securities in the digital asset sector while also addressing developer protections and self-custody rights. X Finance Bull states that despite this progress, the bill encountered resistance in the Senate. He attributes the first disruption to January 2026, when Brian Armstrong reportedly withdrew support shortly before a scheduled markup session, leading to its cancellation. A second setback is described in March 2026, when a compromise facilitated by the White House failed. IT’S HAPPENING AGAIN $XRP AND CRYPTO HOLDERS READ THIS COINBASE HAS BLOCKED THE CLARITY ACT TWICE AND IT'S NOT LOOKING GOOD FOR THE ENTIRE CRYPTO INDUSTRY Imagine you've been fighting a court case for four years. You win. The judge rules in your favor. And just when… https://t.co/qhTvDB1uHG pic.twitter.com/dQ1VcgoKxn — X Finance Bull (@Xfinancebull) March 30, 2026 Stablecoin Yield Debate Identified as Central Issue The post emphasizes that the primary point of contention relates to stablecoin yield mechanisms. X Finance Bull claims that traditional financial institutions have pushed for restrictions on yield-bearing stablecoins , while Coinbase has resisted such measures due to its financial exposure to rewards generated through USDC-related products. He states that Coinbase derives approximately $800 million annually from these rewards, representing a significant portion of its revenue. Based on this claim, the commentator argues that disagreements over this specific feature have stalled broader regulatory clarity that would otherwise address multiple areas of the crypto ecosystem. The CLARITY Act , as described in the post, includes provisions for oversight by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, frameworks for tokenized securities, and protections for user-controlled digital wallets. X Finance Bull maintains that these elements remain unresolved due to the ongoing dispute. Reference to XRP and Broader Industry Implications X Finance Bull connects the situation to Ripple’s experience and its prolonged legal dispute with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. He notes that XRP holders endured years of regulatory uncertainty before receiving favorable legal outcomes, and suggests that the current legislative delay undermines the possibility of establishing long-term clarity. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 The post also references RLUSD, Ripple’s U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, describing it as developed with a compliance-focused approach that avoids the yield-related controversies currently under debate. Additionally, it mentions Ripple’s involvement with institutions such as DTCC and BNY Mellon as part of ongoing infrastructure and financial integration efforts. Legislative Outlook Remains Uncertain X Finance Bull concludes by warning that if the CLARITY Act does not advance before May, the upcoming midterm election cycle could delay or terminate the process entirely. He frames the situation as a critical moment for the digital asset sector, arguing that unresolved disagreements risk prolonging regulatory ambiguity. Disclaimer : This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are advised to conduct thorough research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses. Follow us on X , Facebook , Telegram , and Google News The post Pundit: It’s Happening Again, XRP and Crypto Holders Read This appeared first on Times Tabloid .

31 Mar 2026, 19:45

Key issues surrounding stablecoins include reserve assets regulation, says Fed's Barr

More on Stablecoins How stablecoin yield restrictions could affect Circle, Coinbase Circle Internet stock sinks as Clarity draft reportedly puts strict limits on stablecoin yields

31 Mar 2026, 19:39

Bitcoin Price Rallies to $68,400 as Iran's President Signals Peace with US, Seeks Guarantees

Bitcoin price climbed above $68,000 on Tuesday after Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Iran was ready to end the war if it received security guarantees against further attacks. The move lifted broader risk sentiment and pushed the largest cryptocurrency to an intraday high near $68,400, according to the market data cited in the report. The rally came after Bitcoin had traded below $66,000 earlier in the session. However, at press time, the BTC price surge had slowed down, with Coincodex showing a gain of more than 1.44% from its intraday low to trade at $67,754. The rebound followed a wider market reaction as investors responded to what appeared to be the clearest diplomatic signal from Tehran in recent days. Pezeshkian said Iran did not seek war and was prepared to stop fighting, but only if it received formal guarantees that attacks would not resume. He also said Iran had entered earlier diplomatic talks in good faith before military strikes by the United States and Israel took place. His comments were read by markets as a possible opening for de-escalation, even though his demand for guarantees left a clear condition attached to any settlement. The market also had support from earlier comments by US President Donald Trump, who had indicated that the conflict could end soon. Reports by WSJ earlier today also said Trump had told aides he was willing to wind down the military campaign even if the Strait of Hormuz remained largely closed, while pushing diplomacy and leaving any wider effort to reopen the waterway to allies at a later stage. Diplomatic Shift Lifts Crypto and Broader Markets The reaction was not limited to Bitcoin. Equity markets also moved higher after Pezeshkian’s remarks. The S&P 500 gained 162 points, the Nasdaq rose 675 points, and the Dow Jones Industrial Average added more than 1,000 points, according to the figures cited in the report. Treasury yields also moved lower, with the 10-year yield falling to 4.292% and the two-year yield dropping to 3.768%. That mix of higher equities and lower bond yields suggested investors were reducing part of the geopolitical premium that had built up during the conflict. Bitcoin appeared to benefit from the same shift, especially as traders who had been watching the war and oil prices closely moved back into risk assets. The latest comments also came after days of volatility linked to the Strait of Hormuz and energy markets. The war had pushed oil prices higher and raised inflation concerns, which had pressured both equities and crypto. Any sign that hostilities could slow was therefore enough to help reverse part of that move. Institutional Demand and Political Risk Stay in Focus Market participants also continued to cite institutional demand as a support factor for Bitcoin. Tony Pecore, a director at Franklin Templeton, said institutional buying had remained firm even when Bitcoin dropped from $126,000 to $60,000. He said the market now appeared to be preparing for another move higher. At the same time, he said the US midterm elections later this year remain an important variable. According to his remarks, political uncertainty and possible changes to the regulatory framework could weigh on investor sentiment during the fourth quarter. That leaves Bitcoin supported by two forces at once. On one side, there is steady demand from larger investors. On the other hand, there is the risk that politics and regulation could make the second half of the year more volatile. On-Chain Signals Point to a Possible Bottoming Phase Alongside the geopolitical news, on-chain market signals also remain part of the outlook. Recent commentary cited a decline in long-term holders' SOPR below 1, a condition indicating that even long-term Bitcoin holders are selling at a loss. Because these investors usually react less to short-term price swings, such behavior is often treated as a sign of broader capitulation across the market. Historically, periods when losses have become broad among both short-term and long-term holders have often occurred near major bottoms or long-term low zones. That does not confirm that Bitcoin has already formed a final bottom, but it suggests that selling pressure may be moving toward exhaustion. Source: CryptoQuant For now, Bitcoin’s jump to $68,400 shows how quickly sentiment can shift when war headlines soften. The next move will likely depend on whether Iran and the United States can turn these signals into an actual agreement and whether traders continue to treat recent on-chain stress as the final phase of fear rather than the start of another leg lower.

31 Mar 2026, 19:20

Inflation in the euro area surges to 2.5% in March, stats show

Inflation in the eurozone soared in March, mainly as a result of increasing energy costs across the Old Continent, driven higher by the ongoing conflict in the Persian Gulf. Consumer prices have jumped on both annual and monthly basis, raising expectations that the European Central Bank may intervene with interest rate hikes in April or later. Expensive energy is behind rising prices in the euro area The sudden disruption of energy supplies and markets, caused by the surprise U.S.-Israeli strike on Iran at the end of February, has fueled prices in the eurozone this month. Annual inflation surged to 2.5% in March, according to preliminary data released by the Eurostat office on Tuesday and quoted by regional media. The indicator stood at 1.9% in February, when it was hovering just below the 2% target set by central bankers in Frankfurt. Month-over-month, consumer prices in the countries using the single currency increased by 1.2%, which is the steepest monthly rise since October 2022, as noted by Euronews. It isn’t very hard to pinpoint the main driver – energy inflation reached 4.9% year-on-year this month, after contracting by 3.1% the previous. That’s a total of eight percentage points within a few weeks of the start of the war, in which the Islamic Republic retaliated by effectively closing the Strait of Hormuz. The latter accounted for the transit of around 20% of global oil and gas shipments before the conflict which sent their prices into a spiral. Brent crude has surged past $100 per barrel, a 50% increase in March, while natural gas is now selling in Europe 80% higher than a year ago. European inflation is “entirely due to higher energy prices,” according to Bert Colijn, an economist at the Dutch bank ING. “The price at the pump is the main culprit,” he concluded, quoted by Euractiv. Euro area annual inflation in March 2026 (%). Source: Eurostat Among the eurozone countries, Croatia had the highest inflation, at 4.7%, followed closely by Lithuania, with 4.5%. Ireland registered 3.6%, while Spain and Greece each recorded 3.3%. Germany , the economic powerhouse of the euro area, saw 2.8% inflation, 0.8 percentage points higher than its February figure. Italy’s inflation remained unchanged, at 1.5%, and France had a below-average 1.9%. Meanwhile, Eurostat’s flash estimate showed that core inflation, which excludes energy and food prices as well as alcohol and tobacco, has actually dropped this month, from 2.4% to 2.3%. At the same time, inflation in the services sector eased slightly, too – from 3.4% to 3.2% – and the prices of non-energy industrial goods fell from 0.7% to 0.5%. ECB’s response to the high inflation is still uncertain Analysts are now trying to predict if the European Central Bank (ECB) will return to interest rate hikes in the months to come. While many expect tightening later this year, it’s unclear what the regulator will do in the short term. Last week, President Christine Lagarde admitted that even a brief spike beyond the target might warrant action on the part of the monetary authority. She emphasized, however, that the bank will make its decision based on firm data, not forecasts. The next meeting of the ECB’s Governing Council is scheduled for April 30. According to ING’s Colijn, the likelihood of broader increases in both core inflation and headline inflation grows with the continuation of the war and the disruption it causes. He commented: “With much uncertainty around how the Middle East conflict will evolve, many scenarios for inflation remain possible, and that’s why the ECB is right to be on high alert.” BNP Paribas economists Stéphane Colliac and Guillaume Derrien believe core inflation will remain stable in the second quarter and oil will continue to trade above $100. In that case, the ECB may start tightening in June and increase the rate with 75 basis points by the fall. According to the EU’s Economy Commissioner Valdis Dombrovskis, inflation could exceed 3% this year while output may remain below 1% in both 2026 and 2027. “For now, the outlook is clouded by profound uncertainty,” he told the media last Friday, warning, “it is clear that we are at risk of a stagflationary shock.” With that in mind, the ECB is now facing the same dilemma it had to deal with in 2022, the year when the Ukraine war started. The choice is between policy tightening to tame inflation expectations or refraining from rate hikes amid a weakening economy. Your keys, your card. Spend without giving up custody and earn 8%+ yield on your balance with Ether.fi Cash.

31 Mar 2026, 19:08

Bitcoin, Crypto Stocks Climb on Reports That Iran's President Is 'Ready to End War'

Stocks are surging while Bitcoin and Ethereum hit their highest prices in days after Iran's president said he's looking to end the conflict.