Quantum Computing Could Threaten Bitcoin Within a Decade

Quantum computing is making technical progress that could eventually threaten Bitcoin’s cryptography, although no immediate attack risk has been demonstrated. Two developments are improving the prospects for viable quantum computers. First, quantum low-density parity-check (qLDPC) codes may reduce the physical-qubit requirement for each reliable logical qubit by about 10 times compared with surface-code methods. Second, Google’s Sycamore and Willow experiments showed that logical error rates fell as qubit bundles increased from 17 to 49 and 101 physical qubits. The test demonstrated longer information retention, but not a quantum computer capable of outperforming classical machines in practical computation. Artificial intelligence is also being used to improve quantum error decoding, develop algorithms and optimise circuit designs. Bitcoin’s main long-term vulnerability would involve a sufficiently powerful quantum computer breaking the elliptic-curve cryptography used to protect exposed public keys. The article argues that a functional quantum computer could realistically emerge within the next decade if the assumption that additional physical qubits reduce computational noise continues to hold. The author does not call for immediate panic, but says traders and Bitcoin users should not dismiss the quantum-computing threat. Any confirmed breakthrough could trigger volatility, renewed debate over post-quantum upgrades and risk repricing across the crypto market.