Google Research Warns Bitcoin Could Be Hacked in Nine Minutes

A new study by Google Quantum AI suggests that Bitcoin’s encryption could be cracked in as little as nine minutes using a sufficiently powerful quantum computer. The research estimates that a 500,000-qubit machine could break Bitcoin’s ECDSA encryption, faster than the blockchain’s average block time of ten minutes, giving attackers a potential 41% success rate for hijacking transactions before confirmation.

Risk Concentrated in Legacy Wallets

The study highlights that approximately 2.3 million BTC in legacy addresses are particularly vulnerable due to exposed public keys. These are mostly older addresses or wallets that have already conducted transactions. The report emphasizes the urgency of migrating to post quantum cryptography to protect long-term security.

Timeline and Recommendations

Google researchers reduced the physical qubit requirement for a “Q-Day” attack by 20 times, moving the “Cryptographically Relevant” deadline to 2029. The report urges developers, companies, and the crypto industry to begin preparing immediately for post quantum security upgrades.

While quantum computers capable of this attack do not yet exist, the study serves as a warning. Bitcoin remains safe today, but the rapid advancement of quantum computing makes future preparedness critical. The research underscores that evolving cryptography will be essential to maintain trust in decentralized networks.

Disclaimer

This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, or legal advice. Cryptocurrency trading involves risk and may result in financial loss.