Google Warns: "Bitcoin Hacking Possible in 9 Minutes"... Risks of Quantum Computer Exploitation

Digital Assets at Risk of Quantum Hacking
Bitcoin and Ethereum Not Immune

Google has officially raised the possibility of cryptocurrency hacking using quantum computers, placing the security systems of digital assets, including Bitcoin, under fundamental threat. The market is growing increasingly tense, as Google has presented not only a theoretical warning but also specific hacking scenarios and probabilities of success.

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Google: "Hacking Could Become a Reality Within 3 Years"

On March 31 (local time), Google Quantum AI researchers announced in a newly released white paper that the computational power needed to break the cryptographic systems of Bitcoin and Ethereum could be significantly lower than previously anticipated.

The key factor is the 'qubit.' While the industry had assumed that millions of qubits would be required for such hacking, this research suggests that attacks could be conducted with around 500,000 qubits. Google specifically highlighted the possibility that real threats could emerge as early as within three years, emphasizing the urgent need to prepare for the quantum computing era.

"Hacked During Transactions"... 9-Minute Hacking Scenario Revealed

The most shocking aspect of this research is the actual attack method. During Bitcoin transactions, the public key is temporarily exposed. Quantum computers could exploit this brief moment to reverse-engineer the private key.

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According to Google’s simulation, this process can be completed in about 9 minutes, which is shorter than Bitcoin’s average block creation time of approximately 10 minutes. In other words, funds could be intercepted before the transaction is finalized. The researchers analyzed that assets in transit could be stolen with a probability of about 41% using this method.

One-Third of All Bitcoin Supply at Risk

An even bigger issue is the sheer amount of assets already exposed. According to the research, approximately 6.9 million bitcoins remain vulnerable to quantum attacks. This is about one-third of the total supply of 21 million bitcoins. This vulnerability exists because a significant number of wallets have had their public keys exposed due to early mining or address reuse.

Some experts also point out that certain technological advancements have paradoxically increased vulnerabilities. The 'Taproot' upgrade in Bitcoin improved privacy and efficiency, but by expanding the structure of public key exposure, it may have broadened the potential surface for future quantum attacks.

Urgency of Transition to Post-Quantum Cryptography

Experts view the core of this research as a shortening of the timeline, not an immediate collapse. While quantum computers may not instantly break all cryptographic systems, that point in time may arrive sooner than previously expected.

As a result, there is a growing consensus within the industry that a transition to 'Post-Quantum Cryptography' to replace current systems is inevitable. Google has also chosen to verify the validity of its research using a 'Zero-Knowledge Proof' method, rather than disclosing concrete hacking techniques, in order to prevent the misuse of sensitive technologies.

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Will the Foundation of Trust Be Shaken?

Bitcoin has grown as an asset on the premise that it is unhackable. However, quantum computers have emerged as a new variable that could fundamentally undermine this assumption. As threats that were previously theoretical are now being presented with concrete figures and scenarios, the digital asset market is being forced to seek a new balance between technological progress and security risks.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.