Researchers halve estimated quantum attack timeline for Bitcoin and Ethereum

A new paper shared with CoinDesk says researchers, working alongside artificial-intelligence agents, have improved on a result published by Google in March for a key calculation used by Shor’s algorithm. The finding reduces by 50% the estimated requirements for a potential quantum attack on Bitcoin and Ethereum, according to the report. Shor’s algorithm is central to concerns about how sufficiently powerful quantum computers could affect cryptographic systems. The researchers’ result introduces a new factor into estimates of when crypto networks could face that threat. The paper does not establish that such an attack is currently possible, but it changes one measure used to track progress toward the capabilities that would be required. Bitcoin (BTC) and Ethereum (ETH) are among the crypto assets most directly linked to the development, while the broader impact depends on further advances in quantum computing and cryptanalysis.