Scientists create quantum architecture that can crack bitcoin cryptography

IBM researchers have set a new record in quantum computing by creating a 120-qubit entangled state called a «quantum cat.» According to the report published on arXiv, the accuracy of the achieved state was 0.56, which indicates a complete multi-qubit entanglement — the most complex one realized to date. This discovery could have serious implications for the security of cryptocurrencies, including bitcoin.

In the study «Big Cats: 120-qubit entanglement and beyond,» the IBM team demonstrated the possibility of creating a large-scale quantum system where all qubits are interconnected. It is virtually impossible to check the correctness of all possible combinations of such a weave — it is estimated that it would take longer than the universe exists. To stabilize the system, the researchers used methods of graph theory and stabilization groups.

The achievement has raised concerns in the field of cybersecurity. The modern cryptography underlying Bitcoin is based on elliptic curves (ECC) and the ECDSA and Schnorr signature algorithms. They are considered reliable for classical computers, but quantum machines working on the Shor algorithm are theoretically capable of solving the problem of discrete logarithmization, the basis of ECC, and recovering private keys from public ones in a short time.

An additional threat is posed by the «collect now, decrypt later» strategy. Attackers can already accumulate encrypted bitcoin transactions BTC $103,487.00 Mezo Wrapped BTC -3.06% Market capitalization $54.33 million VOL. 24 hours $3.69 billion to gain access to funds in the future, with the advent of more powerful quantum computers. It is estimated that about 25% of all bitcoins may be vulnerable if they are stored on addresses with public keys.

To prevent such risks, cryptocurrency developers are exploring post-quantum encryption algorithms. For example, the Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) project already uses the XMSS signature scheme, which has been approved by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), as one of the technologies that can protect digital assets in the future era of quantum computing.