Does the quantum threat really loom over Bitcoin?

With the spectacular advancements in quantum processors at Google and IBM, a question re-emerges: are cryptocurrencies at risk of becoming vulnerable? Shor's algorithm, capable of factoring large numbers in polynomial time, is often cited as the sword of Damocles. But the picture is more nuanced than it seems.

For BTC, security relies on two pillars: the ECDSA(Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) for signing transactions, and SHA-256 for proof of work. Shor's algorithm would indeed pose a theoretical threat to the first — a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could potentially derive private keys from public keys.

However, several factors are reassuring. First, practical quantum computers do not yet exist — we're talking about thousands of correct logical qubits, not the hundreds of unstable qubits currently available. Next, the Bitcoin community is already exploring solutions: post-quantum cryptography, Schnorr signatures, or public key isolation. The blockchain itself could evolve, strengthen, and anticipate this transition.

In short: it's a conversation to watch, but not an imminent apocalypse.