The online world faces a big test ahead with quantum computing. Quantum computing is still new but it could both push tech forward and threaten the codes that keep Bitcoin and all online data safe. The good news is that we still have time to get ready.
Quantum computers operate on a very different principle than classic computers. Classic computers do everything based on bits, as we know very well from digital technologies. Quantum computers operate with qubits that can hold a lot more states at once. This is what allows quantum computers to deliver the solutions to hard maths problems, way quicker.
Right now, quantum computing should not scare Bitcoin owners. Today's quantum computers have about 105 qubits, which is far from the million needed for them to work well. Experts think it will take 15 to 20 years for quantum computers to really challenge Bitcoin current codes.
The numbers are key. To crack Bitcoin's code (SHA-256) in an hour would need about 317 million qubits. Even if we give it five years, you'd still need 6,000 qubits - way beyond what we have now. The firm Marathon Digital Holdings uses Moore's Law to guess that dangerous quantum computers won't appear until around 2040.
The Bitcoin world is not just sitting back and waiting. At Bitcoin Amsterdam in 2024, a dev named Hunter Beast showed a new way to make Bitcoin safe from quantum attacks. This would mean small changes in Bitcoin's code and moving coins to new, safe wallets. This is just one way the field is getting ready for what may come.
This prep work goes beyond just Bitcoin. Banks, governments, and tech firms are all working on new, safe codes. The U.S. National Security Agency has set 2035 as the goal for new secure codes across all American security systems. This plan fits with what the experts predict, making sure we're ready for quantum risks.
Blockchain initiatives are also setting up defenses. Some devs are mixing old and new secure methods. For example, Solana says it's already added features to fight quantum risks, showing that there are solutions out there now.
What's really good to see is how everyone is working together. Schools, research places, and governments are all teaming up to make new security standards. While Bitcoin gets a lot of talk about quantum risks, this issue touches all digital tech, making everyone team up to find answers.
Looking at the bigger picture, quantum computing is a problem we can handle, not one that beats us. The crypto field, along with tech in general, is serious about tackling possible weak spots long before they become real issues. Bitcoin owners can feel good knowing that a world of devs, researchers, and tech pros is on it.
Bitcoin has always adapted well to new challenges. The issue of quantum computing is just another chance to innovate, not something to fear now. As the digital world grows, we're already putting down a strong, safe base for crypto and other online assets.
Looking ahead, while quantum computing could theoretically pose risks to Bitcoin and other systems, those threats are far off and we're finding solutions. The global tech world keeps showing it's great at seeing and handling what's coming, working together to keep the digital space safe for everyone, every day.
