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31 Mar 2026, 13:19

Google says a quantum attack on Bitcoin could take 9 minutes with a 41% success rate

Google’s Quantum AI team has proved that a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could derive a Bitcoin ( BTC ) wallet’s private key in approximately nine minutes, fast enough to intercept and redirect a transaction before it is confirmed on the blockchain in an estimated 41% of cases. Quantum computers’ attack speed vs network variance: Source: Google The research , published as a whitepaper co-authored with the Ethereum Foundation and Stanford University, estimates that cracking the elliptic curve cryptography protecting Bitcoin wallets may require fewer than 500,000 physical qubits, a roughly 20-fold reduction from prior published estimates. The researchers determined that a quantum attacker could extract a victim’s public key from the network’s mempool and apply Shor’s algorithm to derive the corresponding private key. Given Bitcoin’s average block confirmation time of approximately 10 minutes, a 9-minute quantum derivation window creates an overlap during which an attacker could complete the process before a transaction is finalised. As such, the Google research team urged the Bitcoin network to migrate from its Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) before the end of this decade. Bitcoin quantum computing attack worsened by Taproot upgrade Reportedly, about 6.9 million BTCs, currently valued at $466 billion, are held in wallets whose public keys are already permanently visible on-chain. The Bitcoin Taproot upgrade, activated in November 2021, may have increased this exposure by making more public keys visible on-chain. While Taproot improved transaction efficiency and privacy through Schnorr signatures, it implemented a structure in which public keys are made visible on-chain by default, increasing the number of wallets whose public keys are visible and potentially making more wallets vulnerable than in legacy formats. What’s the reaction of BTC users? The revelation of an imminent threat to the Bitcoin network from quantum computing attacks elicited different responses. For instance, Justin Drake, a Bitcoin security researcher, urged the community to start preparing for post-quantum encryption. “There’s at least a 10% chance that by 2032, a quantum computer could recover a secp256k1 ECDSA private key from an exposed public key. While a cryptographically-relevant quantum computer (CRQC) before 2030 still feels unlikely, now is undoubtedly the time to start preparing,” Drake stated . Charles Guillemet, CTO of Ledger, highlighted that the Bitcoin community has the cryptographic tools required for a post-quantum migration but must act promptly, warning that the network’s long-term security model is under increasing scrutiny as the threat timeline shortens. ​ The post Google says a quantum attack on Bitcoin could take 9 minutes with a 41% success rate appeared first on Finbold .

31 Mar 2026, 13:02

Google Says Breaking Bitcoin May Need 80% Fewer Qubits Than Expected and Bitcoin’s Own Upgrade Made It Worse

Google’s quantum computing division just released a research paper that puts Bitcoin’s very own existence into question. The research from the Quantum AI team says that cracking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography could require less than 500,000 physical qubits. For context, this is roughly 80% less than earlier estimates which were in the millions. The same study also mentions that a sufficiently advanced quantum computer could intercept a live Bitcoin transaction in about nine minutes, which is faster than the network’s average confirmation time of around 10 minutes, succeeding about 41% of the time. At the same time, Google has already indicated that it will complete migration of its own authentication infra to post-quantum cryptography by 2029. This just shows that the company building the hardware recognizes the threat and the urgency needed to act. Source: Google Quantum AI There are roughly one-third of all BTC in circulation today, or 6.9 million BTC, worth around $456 billion that sit in wallets where the public keys are visible on-chain. Part of the reason for that is Bitcoin’s own Taproot upgrade, a protocol improvement that was supposed to enhance privacy but inadvertently defaulted to exposing public keys. Here’s what the research actually says, what Taproot changed, and where Bitcoin’s quantum preparedness actually stands right now. Google Lowered the Qubit Estimate by 80%: Here’s What That Means The quantum threat for Bitcoin has been a narrative for years now. However, this week, researchers from Google quantum AI division released a paper that narrowed the timeline even further. As reported in SpendNode and Crypto Briefing , the study found that breaking Bitcoin’s ECDSA cryptography may require only 500,000 physical qubits, which is far less than previous estimates that ranged into the millions. Approximately 1,200 to 1,450 high-quality logical qubits could be enough for an attack. The paper also mentions that a powerful enough quantum computer could intercept a live Bitcoin transaction within roughly nine minutes and redirect transactions faster than the network can confirm transactions around 41% of the time. It’s important to note that a huge caveat still exists. No quantum computer in 2026 is anywhere close to executing this. Projections for a cryptographically relevant quantum computer vary from being 10 to 15 years away with more conservative outlooks pointing 20 or even 40 years. That, however, is actually besides the point. The resource estimate just dropped by 80% and that means what was seen as a multi-generational threat becomes a problem that we could realistically see within this decade. The shift isn’t that the threat has arrived, it’s that the assumptions underpinning Bitcoin’s security runway just got a lot less comfortable. One Third of All Bitcoin Is Already Exposed and Taproot Made It Worse Data from SpendNode states that roughly 6.9 million BTC, around one-third of all Bitcoins in circulation, sit in wallets where public keys are visible on-chain. At the time of writing, this is around $456 billion worth of Bitcoin that is essentially exposed to a potential quantum attack. The vulnerability comes from how Bitcoin addresses work: when a transaction is sent, the sender’s public key is briefly revealed on-chain. In theory, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could use that public key to reverse-engineer the corresponding private key and redirect funds before the network finalises anything. That mechanism is the core of what Google’s paper is describing. The number of wallets under threat is large and Bitcoin’s own Taproot upgrade that went live in November 2021, actually inadvertently widened this number. The upgrade was designed to improve privacy and efficiency which it delivered on. However, Taproot, by design, makes public keys visible for Taproot-type transactions. This means, every wallet that has ever sent BTC using a Taproot address has their public keys visible on-chain. That said, wallets that have only received transactions and never sent are safer since the public keys stay hidden behind a hash. There are no quantum computers that can act on this vulnerability at this stage. However, the concern is that the gap between “doesn’t exist” and “does exist” just got measurably narrower. Google Says 2029: Bitcoin Has No Plan On March 25, Google set a hard deadline of 2029 for its own authentication services to migrate to post-quantum cryptography. According to DL News, the company moved from demonstrating below-threshold error correction to setting a firm corporate migration deadline in just 16 months. That signal in itself is very hard to push aside. The organisation actually building the hardware is telling its own engineers to be ready in three years. Bitcoin’s position looks considerably different — no coordinated plan, no funding structure, no agreed timeline. The only formal step on record is BIP 360, a proposal for a quantum-resistant address format recently merged into Bitcoin’s improvement repository per Decrypt. It’s a starting point for a conversation, not a deployment. The deeper issue is structural. Bitcoin’s last major cryptographic upgrade, Taproot, took years of community debate before finally activating in November 2021 — and that was a far less contentious change than a full post-quantum migration would be. Bitcoin’s decentralised, consensus-driven governance has historically been one of its genuine strengths — it has kept bad ideas out just as effectively as it has slowed good ones down. That trade-off works well when threats are abstract and timelines are long. It works less well when the company building the relevant hardware has just put a date on it. Three years is not a lot of runway for a network that takes years just to agree on the shape of a proposal and as Benzinga noted , the timeline just set by google puts Bitcoin developers “on the hot seat”. What This Means for BTC Holders and What to Watch The 2029 deadline is for Google, not Bitcoin. That said, the fact that the company building the hardware has set a date for its own systems to migrate says a lot about the timeline for potential quantum capabilities that could threaten Bitcoin’s cryptography. For now, wallets that have only received and never sent a transaction using Taproot are on the safe side. On the other hand, the most exposed Bitcoin is concentrated in wallets that have actively transacted using Taproot addresses. When we come to the market side, this news has not moved price in any meaningful way just yet. Bitcoin is about to close Q1 at over -24%, making it the weakest first quarter since 2018. This decline, however, has had nothing to do with the quantum fear but is instead a result of the Iran conflict and the broader macro economic headwinds. The timing of this news however is certainly not favourable for Bitcoin. If this narrative starts to pick up steam, it could rattle an already fragile market and cause a further decline in price. Whether proposals like BIP 360 evolve into actual activation discussions, and whether Google’s quantum milestones, especially progress toward the ~1,200 logical qubit threshold identified in its research, begin to materialize are what needs to be monitored at this stage. The threat isn’t immediate, but the timeline is no longer abstract and that’s the shift the market hasn’t priced in yet. If you're reading this, you’re already ahead. Stay there with our newsletter .

31 Mar 2026, 12:31

XRP Just Flashed a Major Signal. Here’s What Is Coming

Crypto analyst Arthur has pointed to a significant technical development surrounding XRP, highlighting a sharp decline in its weekly Relative Strength Index (RSI). In a recent post on X, he noted that the weekly RSI has fallen to approximately 32, placing it among the lowest levels observed in recent years. This reading positions XRP deep within what traders typically define as oversold territory , a condition often associated with reduced selling pressure and possible trend reversal. Arthur’s observation focuses on the weekly timeframe, which is widely regarded as more reliable for identifying long-term trends compared to shorter intervals. By emphasizing the rarity of such low RSI readings on this timeframe, he suggests that the current market structure may carry broader implications beyond short-term price fluctuations. Weekly RSI on $XRP just hit one of its lowest levels in years. We’re currently sitting at ~32 on the weekly timeframe, deep into historically oversold territory. The last times the weekly RSI reached these extremes, XRP was preparing for a strong accumulation phases. Price… pic.twitter.com/iwW7tdG1LB — Arthur (@XrpArthur) March 29, 2026 Historical Context of Oversold Conditions In his analysis, Arthur referenced previous instances when XRP’s weekly RSI reached similarly low levels. According to his commentary, these past occurrences aligned with periods preceded by extended accumulation phases. During such phases, market participants gradually build positions, often before a more sustained upward movement develops. The chart accompanying his post illustrates this pattern, showing how prior dips into oversold territory coincided with price stabilization near long-term support zones. The highlighted section on the chart points to a comparable setup in the current cycle, where XRP briefly tested lower levels before initiating a notable upward move. Arthur’s comparison does not present a definitive outcome but instead frames the current setup within a recurring historical structure. By doing so, he implies that the present conditions may resemble earlier stages of accumulation rather than continued decline. Price Stability Around Key Levels Alongside the RSI reading, Arthur also noted XRP’s price holding near $1.32. This level appears to function as a short-term support zone within the broader weekly structure. Despite recent downward pressure, the asset has maintained relative stability above this range, which may indicate that selling momentum is weakening. The chart further shows that XRP remains within a wider channel, bounded by long-term support and resistance trendlines. The lower boundary of this channel aligns closely with the recent price action, reinforcing the idea that the asset is testing a historically significant support region. Arthur’s commentary suggests that the combination of oversold RSI conditions and price stability at support could be relevant for assessing long-term positioning. However, he stops short of making a direct prediction, instead questioning whether the weekly chart is signaling a potential bottom. We are on X, follow us to connect with us :- @TimesTabloid1 — TimesTabloid (@TimesTabloid1) June 15, 2025 Assessing the Long-Term Implications The central point of Arthur’s post is the convergence of technical indicators that have previously aligned with accumulation phases. The low RSI reading, combined with price consolidation near support, forms the basis of his analysis. By asking whether the weekly chart is indicating a long-term bottom, Arthur frames the situation as one that warrants close monitoring. His perspective relies on historical precedent rather than immediate confirmation, emphasizing the importance of observing how the price reacts in the coming weeks. As XRP continues to trade within this range, the market’s response to these conditions will likely determine whether the current setup evolves into a broader recovery phase or remains within a prolonged consolidation period . 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 XRP Just Flashed a Major Signal. Here’s What Is Coming appeared first on Times Tabloid .

31 Mar 2026, 11:32

Banking and crypto encryption at greater risk as quantum computing hardware requirements fall, new research finds

New research shows quantum computers could break major crypto encryption with fewer qubits. Bitcoin, Ethereum, and banking standards may face earlier quantum threats than anticipated. Continue Reading: Banking and crypto encryption at greater risk as quantum computing hardware requirements fall, new research finds The post Banking and crypto encryption at greater risk as quantum computing hardware requirements fall, new research finds appeared first on COINTURK NEWS .

31 Mar 2026, 11:03

Quantum computers could break crypto wallet encryption with just 10,000 qubits, researchers say

The research shows quantum computers may break bitcoin and ether wallet encryption with far fewer qubits than previously thought, accelerating the push toward post-quantum security.

31 Mar 2026, 09:52

Google Says End For Bitcoin Is Near? Quantum Computers Could Attack Crypto This Soon

It sounds out of a sci-fi video game, but new research suggest quantum attackers could break Bitcoin’s blockchain and steal coins mid-transaction sooner than it was originally expected. Is Doomsday Near For Bitcoin? A new whitepaper and blogpost published on Tuesday by Google’s Quantum AI team claims that Bitcoin and Ethereum’s cryptography can be broken with fewer than 500,000 physical qubits and roughly 1,200 “logical” qubits, far below the “millions” that used to be cited. Related Reading: Hyperliquid’s Tokyo Edge Exposed — Secret Time Gap Is Tilting The Market Most blockchains and cryptocurrencies protect wallets and transactions using 256‑bit elliptic curve cryptography (a very strong mathematical lock) based on the discrete logarithm problem (ECDLP‑256). The research points at a significant decreased in the resources needed to break the ECDLP-256. The blog post says: We estimate that these circuits can be executed on a superconducting qubit CRQC with fewer than 500,000 physical qubits in a few minutes, given standard assumptions about hardware capabilities that are consistent with some of Google’s flagship quantum processors. This is an approximately 20-fold reduction in the number of physical qubits required to solve ECDLP-256 and a continuation of a long history of gradual optimization in compiling quantum algorithms to fault-tolerant circuits. “Cryptographically-relevant quantum computers (CRQS) pose a threat to widely deployed public-key cryptography”, the whitepaper claims. Instead of attacking wallets, the research models a live attack where a quantum adversary could steal bitcoin mid‑transaction in about 9 minutes by quickly using the briefly revealed public key to calculate the private key, giving a 41% chance of beating Bitcoin’s 10‑minute block time. In this sense, Ethereum might be less vulnerable than Bitcoin, as it confirms its transactions faster. The Culprit: Taproot This results put Taproot, Bitcoin’s 2021 upgrade, in a different perspective. Although Taproot boosted privacy and efficiency, it started exposing public keys on‑chain by default, stripping away the “hash-first” protective layer that older address formats had. Therefore, it has widened the pool of quantum‑exposed coins to about 6.9 million BTC, including Satoshi‑era and heavily reused addresses. A quantum computer is a computer that uses the rules of quantum physics to process information in ways normal computers can’t. Instead of bits that are either 0 or 1, it uses qubits, which can be 0, 1, or a blend of both at the same time, letting the machine explore many possibilities in parallel. Classical computers explore possibilities one‑by‑one (even if very fast). This means that, for certain math problems (like factoring huge numbers used in cryptography), a powerful quantum computer could solve in minutes what would take a classical supercomputer longer than the age of the universe. What This Means For Concerned Traders Despite it is true that no such machine exists yet, earlier this month Google set 2029 as an internal deadline for post‑quantum migration, compressing the perceived timeline for “Q‑day.” Researchers warn that post-quantum migration will take years, even if the hardware is not here yet. Related Reading: Over Half Of US Crypto Users Don’t Understand This Scary Tax Rule On the social network X, some users have already expressed their quantum panic. Coin Metric co-founder and Bitcoin advocate Nic Carter highlighted another paper released today from Oratomic, Caltech and UC Berkeley, showing quantum computers can break crypto with just 10,000 reconfigurable atomic qubits. and the craziest thing is that the Google Quantum AI paper (above) is maybe not even the most concerning quantum paper released _today_https://t.co/mSZi5Lk7do — nic carter (@nic_carter) March 31, 2026 Roughly one‑third of Bitcoin’s supply is now modeled as potentially quantum‑exposed over a long enough horizon, which could change how desks value old coins, Taproot usage and address‑reuse hygiene. Traders should watch for Taproot adoption metrics, progress or gridlock around BIP‑360‑style upgrades, and whether Bitcoin devs move toward a dated migration plan as Google’s 2029 clock ticks louder. At the moment of writing, BTC trades for the highs $66k. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview Cover image from Perplexity, BTCUSD chart from Tradingview