Crypto: The Quantum Computer Destroys The Foundations Of Encryption!

The era of secure cryptography may well be living its last days. Chinese researchers, using the capabilities of a quantum computer produced by D-Wave Systems, have recently reached a milestone: for the first time, a quantum computer has concretely threatened current encryption systems. Could the global crypto-system be shaken on a large scale? While limitations currently prevent complete hacking, the researchers’ advance suggests a future where the security of cryptos, based on classical encryption algorithms, could falter.

The quantum threat: a first breach in the encryption wall

Quantum technology, long perceived as a hypothetical threat to digital security, now seems capable of breaking some of the strongest protections, while Bitcoin falters.

During a study conducted at the University of Shanghai, the team led by Wang Chao tackled the Present, Gift-64, and Rectangle algorithms, which rely on SPN (substitution-permutation network) structures.

These algorithms serve as the basis for encryption standards like AES-256, previously considered as unshakable fortresses.

The process used, called “quantum annealing,” differs from traditional computational methods. Here, the quantum computer seeks to reach the lowest energy state by exploiting quantum tunneling.

Unlike classical algorithms, which meticulously explore every path, this technique allows particles to literally cross barriers.

This revolutionary hurdle-jumping enables optimized problem-solving, accessing solutions that decades of conventional cryptography could not conceive.

Researchers claim that, although they haven’t completely broken through protections, this first incursion could signal a point of no return for crypto security.

They emphasize that quantum computers are still limited by hardware and environmental constraints. Nevertheless, progress in this area suggests much more efficient attack systems, capable of bending current encryption standards in the not-so-distant future.

What does this breakthrough mean for the security of cryptocurrencies?

If quantum computing one day becomes capable of breaking current encryption, the consequences for cryptocurrencies would be immense.

The blockchain, a system known for its resilience and security, relies on encryption methods to secure transactions and protect users’ funds.

If these encryption algorithms were to be compromised, the entire system could be vulnerable to targeted attacks of unprecedented scale.

For now, Chinese researchers have demonstrated greater gains than previous attempts, but obstacles remain.

Large-scale hacking requires not only further technological advancements but also logistical improvements to sustain the required computing power.

However, the shadow of quantum computing looms over the blockchain: it only takes a nudge in the right direction for these technical constraints to become a mere memory.

Faced with this threat, the crypto community is preparing. Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently proposed a solution to protect the blockchain from quantum threats.

According to him, a hard fork, or radical update of the blockchain, could neutralize future attacks. This measure would require users to download a new version of their wallet, but it would ensure that crypto assets remain safe, even against quantum computers. Buterin assures that this infrastructure could be in place as early as tomorrow, if necessary.

The repercussions of this breakthrough are not limited to cryptocurrencies. The entire digital sector could be affected by these advancements in quantum computing. Banking data, confidential information, and all digital encryption systems could eventually become obsolete in the face of this technology. The speed at which the quantum threat progresses suggests an inevitable transformation of digital security as we know it today.