Google Quantum AI has highlighted a potential future threat where quantum computers could derive Bitcoin private keys from public keys in approximately nine minutes. This poses a risk of intercepting unconfirmed transactions in the memory pool, exploiting Bitcoin's average 10-minute block time. If quantum computers can execute Shor's algorithm within this timeframe, hackers could hijack transactions. While Bitcoin's mining algorithm (SHA-256) remains relatively secure, the elliptic curve signatures that ensure asset ownership are highly susceptible to quantum attacks. The 2021 Taproot upgrade, which defaults to public key exposure, inadvertently increased vulnerability. Currently, around 6.9 million early Bitcoins are at risk due to exposed public keys.
Google Quantum AI Warns of Bitcoin Vulnerability to Quantum Attacks
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