Quantum Researchers Say 30K Qubits Could Crack Bitcoin Keys in Just One Hour
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Quantum researchers have demonstrated that a quantum computer with approximately 30,000 logical qubits could break a 256-bit elliptic curve private key, such as those securing Bitcoin addresses, in roughly one hour using Shor's algorithm. This estimate significantly lowers previous projections that required millions of physical qubits, highlighting rapid progress in error-corrected quantum hardware. The key implication for Bitcoin is that while the network remains secure today, the accelerating feasibility of quantum attacks underscores the urgent need to develop and adopt quantum-resistant cryptographic standards before sufficiently powerful machines become available.