A group of researchers has published a study in Springer Nature that marks a new turning point in quantum computing. Second, this experiment has implications for Bitcoin’s resistance to that technology, although it does not specify it specifically.
The study, published on September 23, describes how they optimized the resources of Shor, a quantum algorithm estimated to potentially be able to: Breaking Bitcoin’s Cryptocurrency Securitycryptocurrency networks and cybersecurity in general.
When the shawl is used in “evil hands”, Decrypt private key Generated by an Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC) system. This is the same type of signature that Bitcoin uses based on the ECDSA standard.
What researchers discovered is that It significantly reduces the amount of quantum resources needed to run that process. ECDLP (ECDSA’s security foundation), threats that previously seemed distant are starting to feel more tangible.
Specifically, we succeeded in optimizing the performance of the algorithm in three aspects:
- be 75% reduction Number of logical operations (T countin English),
- be 87% decrease Depth of circuit (T depthin English),
- be 12% reduction in usage of cubitthe quantum equivalent of a conventional bit.
Simply put, they put the algorithmic “engine” to work. With much less energy and partsIt’s like a vehicle that previously required a fuel truck can now travel the same distance on just a few liters.
Those improvements Reduce hardware size and complexity Required to attack ECC-based cryptosystems such as Bitcoin.
The following infographic created by CriptoNoticias makes it easy to understand the relationship between quantum computing and Bitcoin.
Quantum computing experts’ speculations
“We’re excited to see how quantum computing and cryptocurrencies work together,” said Alex Pruden, CEO of Project 11, a project dedicated to studying the relationship between quantum computing and cryptocurrencies. Optimizing shorts is a big step forward:
“From a resource estimation perspective, this is a real advance, because the T-gate accounts for most of the cost of quantum cryptoanalysis,” he explained on his X account on October 6th.
Although these gates are fundamental operations in quantum circuits, their actual implementation is expensive and requires complex error correction. Reducing that amount, as this new approach has achieved, means making quantum algorithms more efficient and bringing real-world applications closer to concrete scenarios.
Project 11’s CEO also said that experts estimate that it will still be “5 to 15 years” before we have a quantum computer capable of carrying out this type of attack, but advances in hardware and error correction will make it easier. That period could be reduced to just 2 or 5 yearshe opined.
“We must plan for the worst-case scenario and prepare for Q-Day now.”Pruden concluded by referring to a hypothetical moment when quantum computers could break current cryptographic protections.
While this research does not mean Bitcoin is in immediate danger, it does renew the urgency to further research into post-quantum defense mechanisms.
The race between advances in quantum computing and advances in cryptography is accelerating, and the results of this study confirm that the margin of advantage may be narrowing.