Google experts have found a method to hack the bitcoin blockchain

Google’s Quantum AI team has announced that hacking the bitcoin blockchain BTC $65,841.17 Mezo Wrapped BTC -1.60% Market capitalization $38.47 million VOL. 24 hours $1.29 billion with quantum computers may be much easier than previously thought. In a new research paper, the researchers point out that the Taproot technology, which was supposed to increase the efficiency and privacy of transactions, has made the system more vulnerable.

According to the team’s findings, an attack on Bitcoin and Ethereum cryptographymay require less than 500,000 physical qubits — far less than the «millions» previously thought to be necessary. Google has developed two potential attack methods, each requiring around 1,200−1,450 high-quality qubits. This means that the distance between modern technology and a real threat may be smaller than investors expect.

In Google’s model, a quantum computer is able to prepare part of the calculations in advance, and once a transaction appears, complete the attack in about nine minutes. Since the confirmation of bitcoin transactions takes about ten minutes, the probability of intercepting funds is estimated at 41%. Ethereum is less vulnerable in this sense, as its transactions are confirmed faster.

The researchers also estimated that about 6.9 million BTC — almost a third of the total issue — are already in wallets where public keys have been disclosed. This is significantly more than previous estimates, which spoke of only tens of thousands of coins.

The issue of Taproot, the 2021 update that made public keys visible on the blockchain by default, is also emphasized. This expands the number of wallets potentially vulnerable to quantum attacks.

Google emphasizes that it is not about the immediate collapse of cryptocurrencies, but about reducing the time frame and expanding the range of risks. The company calls for a timely migration to new cryptographic standards, as quantum systems could become practically useful by the end of the decade.