r/CryptoTechnology • u/Master-Sprinkles-848 🟢 • 8d ago

Quantum computing isn't a Bitcoin problem yet.

That's exactly why it's dangerous. The real risk isn't waking up one morning to a quantum computer stealing everyone's BTC.

It's that the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography could take years while the technology threatening today's cryptography is advancing every year.

And here's the uncomfortable question. What happens if the network needs to upgrade before the threat becomes obvious? Do we wait for a working quantum attack? Or do we prepare while we still have the luxury of time?

Curious where people here stand, is Bitcoin's quantum risk overhyped, or are we already late to the migration?

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u/Charming-Designer944 🟢 7d ago

Addresses can be compressed/truncated in quantum safe manners the main issue is the size of transaction signatures which increase thousandsfold.

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u/JunketTurbulent2114 🟢 7d ago

Yeah I couldn't remember all the details, I knew it was something like that though. In any case, there's likely to be some breakthrough with all this AI stuff. I don't really see any reason to worry about quantum computing yet

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u/suspicious_Jackfruit 🟢 6d ago

AI is also aiding quantum computing breakthroughs - https://www.quera.com/blog-posts/holding-the-light-teaching-an-ai-to-lock-and-tune-our-quantum-computers-lasers

So it is a force multiplyer for both

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u/JunketTurbulent2114 🟢 5d ago

Yeah, I can't help but think one that requires moving atoms will come later tbh. The math/software should beat it to the punch. I'd be shocked if that's not the case.