Will Quantum Computers Break Bitcoin?

Imagine a world where diseases like cancer are curable, climate change is solved, and new materials stronger than steel revolutionize transportation. That’s the promise of quantum computers. But with this promise comes a massive risk: the ability to break even the most secure encryption systems in the world.

But what does this mean for the security of Bitcoin’s encryption? Can a quantum computer really crack the cryptography that protects Bitcoin? Let’s break down what quantum computers are, how the Willow chip changes the game, and if Bitcoin is really at risk.

What Are Quantum Computers and Why Are They So Powerful?

The computers we use today rely on bits — binary pieces of information that are either a 1 or a 0. However, quantum computers use something called qubits, which can be both a 1 and a 0 at the same time. This concept, called superposition, allows quantum computers to perform multiple calculations simultaneously, giving them an incredible edge in problem-solving power.

To put it simply, while a traditional computer solves a maze by trying one path at a time, a quantum computer tries every path at once. This is why quantum computers are exponentially faster than even the fastest supercomputers.

But here’s the catch — building quantum computers has always been difficult due to two key problems:
1️⃣ Quantum Coherence: This refers to how long qubits can stay in a “quantum state” before collapsing into a normal state. The longer qubits stay in this state, the more complex problems they can solve.
2️⃣ Quantum Error Correction: Quantum systems are error-prone. If errors aren’t corrected, the output of the quantum computer is useless. Quantum error correction ensures that calculations remain accurate.

Google’s Willow chip has made significant progress in both areas. The coherence time for qubits has improved 5x, from 20 microseconds to 100 microseconds, allowing for more complex calculations. They’ve also developed tunable qubits, which allow for real-time error correction using AI and machine learning.

What Makes Google’s Willow Chip a Game-Changer?

Google’s Willow chip is the most advanced quantum processor they’ve ever built, outperforming previous chips like Foxtail, Bristlecone, and Sycamore. The chip achieved something extraordinary — it solved a problem in under 5 minutes that would take the fastest supercomputer in the world over 10 to the 25th years.

For perspective, that’s longer than the age of the universe.

Here’s what makes Willow so special:

• Faster Coherence Times: The time qubits stay in a quantum state increased from 20 to 100 microseconds.
• Error Correction with Tunable Qubits: Engineers can now adjust and fix qubit errors in real-time, improving the accuracy of calculations.
• AI Integration: With the help of AI and machine learning, Google can improve the efficiency of quantum error correction, ensuring better results.

But what does this mean for Bitcoin’s encryption?

Can Quantum Computers Break Bitcoin’s Encryption?

Bitcoin’s security relies on two encryption methods:
1️⃣ ECDSA 256 (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) — Used to create your public and private keys.
2️⃣ SHA-256 (Secure Hash Algorithm) — Used to create cryptographic hashes that secure Bitcoin’s blockchain.

If a hacker can crack either of these encryptions, they could access your private key, steal your Bitcoin, and even rewrite the blockchain. So, how vulnerable are these encryptions to quantum computers like Willow?

ECDSA 256 — How Safe Is It?

The ECDSA 256 algorithm creates a private key and a corresponding public key. The public key is what you share with others to receive payments, while the private key is what you must keep secret.

With enough power, a quantum computer could reverse-engineer your private key from your public key using something called Shor’s Algorithm. The good news? It’s not as simple as it sounds.

Experts believe it would take over 1 million qubits to break ECDSA 256 encryption.
For reference, Google’s Willow chip only has 105 qubits, which is still far from the amount needed to crack this encryption.

SHA-256 — Can Quantum Computers Crack It?

SHA-256 is even stronger than ECDSA. It’s the backbone of Bitcoin’s blockchain. It converts any input into a 256-bit hash, which is like a digital fingerprint.

To crack this encryption, a quantum computer would have to use Grover’s Algorithm, which speeds up the process by searching through possibilities faster than normal computers. But even with Grover’s Algorithm, quantum computers would need to search through 2^128 possibilities.

For context, the odds of successfully guessing a SHA-256 hash are like picking a single grain of sand from every beach on Earth — and getting it right.

Estimates suggest it would take millions of error-corrected qubits to break SHA-256, which is far beyond the capabilities of current quantum processors like Willow.

How Will Bitcoin Protect Itself from Quantum Attacks?

If quantum computers do become powerful enough to crack SHA-256 and ECDSA 256, it’s not the end of Bitcoin. Here’s why:
1️⃣ Hard Forks — Bitcoin can be upgraded to quantum-resistant encryption through a hard fork, similar to how Bitcoin Cash was created.
2️⃣ Quantum-Resistant Algorithms — Developers are already working on post-quantum cryptography that can protect Bitcoin from quantum attacks.
3️⃣ Use New Addresses — You can protect yourself by generating a new Bitcoin address for every transaction, limiting exposure to attacks.

Bitcoin is future-proof by design, meaning it can adapt to threats as they arise. Satoshi Nakamoto himself predicted the rise of quantum computers and suggested that Bitcoin could switch to stronger encryption if needed.

When Will Quantum Computers Be a Threat?

While Google’s Willow chip is impressive, it’s still far from being a threat to Bitcoin. Here’s why:

• To break Bitcoin’s encryption, you’d need millions of qubits, but Willow only has 105 qubits.
• Some experts believe it could take 10 to 20 years before quantum computers are powerful enough to threaten Bitcoin.
• Even if quantum computers do pose a threat, the Bitcoin community can implement a hard fork to switch to quantum-resistant encryption.

What Will Happen If Quantum Computers Break Bitcoin?

If a quantum computer cracks Bitcoin’s encryption, it wouldn’t just affect Bitcoin. It would affect:

• Banks: Online banking would be vulnerable.
• Healthcare: Patient data could be exposed.
• Government Systems: Military communications and defense systems could be at risk.

But don’t panic. It’s more likely that companies will use quantum computers to protect security systems, not attack them. Attacking Bitcoin with quantum computers would expose them as hackers, inviting legal action from governments.