Google Warns Quantum Computing Could Compromise Bitcoin Security Sooner Than Expected

Google's Quantum AI team, in collaboration with Caltech and the startup Oratomic, has released a whitepaper detailing how Bitcoin's encryption requires significantly less computing power than previously estimated. The research identifies Shor’s algorithm as the specific protocol capable of breaking modern encryption using just 10,000 qubits, a massive reduction from previous estimates of one million or more. This vulnerability puts approximately $450 billion in Bitcoin at risk, as a quantum attack could derive a private key in approximately 9 minutes. This window is particularly critical as it falls within Bitcoin's 10-minute block settlement timeframe, allowing for a 41% success rate in intercepting transactions. The threat extends to Ethereum (Ether) wallets, with experts warning that Bitcoin's price may struggle to reach new record highs (ATH) without urgent security upgrades. Consequently, the industry is accelerating the transition toward post-quantum security standards to ensure the long-term resilience of digital asset infrastructure.