At the ETHDenver conference on February 19, Bitcoin developer Hunter Beast cautioned that Bitcoin is unprepared for the imminent threat posed by quantum computers, particularly from government agencies like the NSA and China’s PLA, which are advancing quantum technology that could potentially crack Bitcoin’s cryptography. This concern has been amplified by recent developments, including Google’s unveiling of its Willow quantum chip in December 2024 and new research from Sydney showing that less powerful quantum computers could decrypt Bitcoin wallets more easily than expected. Beast emphasized the need for urgent upgrades to Bitcoin’s cryptography to address this increasing risk, highlighting that the proximity of quantum advancements makes it essential to consider their implications now rather than later.
Bitcoin developers warn of quantum threat to cryptocurrency security
