Quantum Leap Forward: Google Researcher Slashes Resources Needed to Break Encryption, Threatening Bitcoin Security

A groundbreaking research paper published on May 27, 2025, by Google Quantum AI researcher Craig Gidney has revealed that quantum computers could break RSA encryption—a widely used cryptographic method—with 20 times fewer resources than previously estimated. Gidney’s study suggests that a 2048-bit RSA integer could be factored in under a week using a quantum computer with fewer than one million noisy qubits, a significant reduction from his 2019 estimate of 20 million qubits over eight hours.

While the study doesn’t directly target Bitcoin, which relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), the findings highlight vulnerabilities in ECC that could be exploited by quantum algorithms like Shor’s, posing a future risk to cryptocurrency security.

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Implications for Cryptocurrency Security

Although Bitcoin uses ECC rather than RSA, both encryption methods are susceptible to quantum attacks. ECC, which secures Bitcoin wallets and transactions with 256-bit keys, is considered more efficient than 2048-bit RSA keys but remains vulnerable to quantum computing advancements. Current quantum computers, such as IBM’s Condor with 1,100 qubits and Google’s Sycamore with 53 qubits, lack the power to break these systems.

However, real-time developments in the quantum computing space indicate rapid progress, with companies reportedly scaling qubit counts and improving error correction. The quantum research group Project 11’s recent 1 BTC (~$109,737 as of today) bounty to break small ECC keys (1-25 bits) using quantum hardware underscores the urgency of assessing these threats.

Did You Know?
Quantum computers could theoretically solve problems like protein folding simulations in hours, a task that would take classical computers billions of years to complete.

How Quantum Computing Works

Quantum computers operate on principles of quantum mechanics, utilizing qubits that can represent both 0 and 1 simultaneously through superposition and entanglement. Unlike classical bits, which process data sequentially, qubits enable parallel computations, making quantum systems potentially capable of solving complex problems, like breaking cryptographic algorithms, far faster than classical computers.

Gidney’s revised estimate of requiring fewer than one million qubits to crack RSA encryption marks a significant step forward, compressing the timeline for when such attacks might become feasible and raising concerns for industries reliant on public-key cryptography.

The Road Ahead for Crypto Security

The findings signal a need for the cryptocurrency industry to accelerate the development of quantum-resistant encryption methods. While today’s quantum hardware cannot yet threaten Bitcoin or similar systems, the rapid pace of research suggests that timeline could shrink further. Real-time discussions among cybersecurity experts highlight growing efforts to explore post-quantum cryptography standards, with some predicting widespread adoption within the next decade. As quantum technology advances, the race to secure digital assets against these emerging threats becomes increasingly critical.