As quantum computing advances, experts are raising concerns about its potential impact on Bitcoin’s long-term security.
Quantum computers could, in theory, break the cryptographic algorithms that secure Bitcoin transactions. The so-called “Q-Day” — the moment quantum machines can crack current encryption — would pose a significant risk to global data security, including blockchain systems like Bitcoin.
According to a recent article by Wired, Bitcoin’s public-key cryptography could become a target if quantum capabilities surpass current thresholds. Once a transaction is broadcast, its public key is exposed — and a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could, in theory, derive the corresponding private key before confirmation.
Kapil Dhiman, CEO of Quranium, a post-quantum blockchain firm, warns that switching Bitcoin to post-quantum cryptography would require a hard fork — a fundamental change in protocol needing widespread consensus.
While practical quantum threats remain years away, developers and researchers are already exploring mitigation strategies.
