Post-quantum cryptography deadline: Google targets 2029, ETH advances

Google says it must complete the post-quantum cryptography migration for its authentication services by 2029, warning that quantum computers could soon threaten today’s encryption and, especially, digital signatures. That means the post-quantum cryptography transition must land before “cryptographically relevant” quantum capability arrives. The timing is linked to Google’s Willow quantum-chip progress debate. While earlier estimates suggested Shor’s algorithm would require millions of physical qubits, Google points to improvements in quantum hardware, error correction, and revised factoring resource assumptions to justify the 2029 enterprise deadline. For crypto traders, the main takeaway is the execution gap. Ethereum has been building a post-quantum security roadmap for about eight years, including weekly test networks and a multi-hard-fork plan via pq.ethereum.org. Bitcoin, in contrast, has no coordinated post-quantum migration roadmap, funding structure, or agreed timeline, drawing criticism even from some Bitcoin advocates. A key claim in the coverage is that elliptic-curve cryptography (used for Bitcoin signatures) is “on the brink of obsolescence.” Some argue the immediate theft risk may be limited by concentration in legacy addresses, but the market question remains: is there enough time to upgrade a global, decentralized protocol before practical quantum attacks? Bottom line: Google’s 2029 push increases narrative pressure for post-quantum readiness and could support ETH relative to BTC. Near-term price impact will likely hinge on how fast markets price in execution risk versus delivery confidence.