Recent research conducted at Shanghai University demonstrated the ability to decrypt an RSA key using quantum computing. This event has sparked discussions on potential threats to cryptography, including Bitcoin.
Decryption of RSA Key and Research Methodology
A team of researchers at Shanghai University managed to factor a 22-bit RSA key. This achievement was made possible by transforming the factoring problem into a combinatorial optimization challenge, solved with a D-Wave Systems quantum annealing processor that used over 5,000 physical qubits. It is important to note that the 22-bit key is much smaller than the contemporary 2,048-bit keys used to protect data.
Cryptographic Technologies of Bitcoin
Bitcoin employs the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) and the SHA-256 hash function to secure transactions and private keys. These technologies rely on mathematical problems different from those used in RSA, which means Bitcoin is not directly threatened by recent quantum breakthroughs.
Prospects for Quantum Threats
There are varying opinions on when a real threat to current cryptographic systems from quantum computing may arise. Bitcoin developer Adam Back believes that a practical danger might be one or two decades away. However, a recent report from Google Quantum AI indicated that quantum attacks could threaten not only RSA but also ECDH, which is related to ECDSA in Bitcoin. The reduction in estimates for the number of qubits needed to break a 2,048-bit RSA key from 20 million to fewer than one million also raises questions regarding the need for cryptographic system updates.
Thus, the breakthrough in quantum computing raises significant questions about the security of modern cryptographic systems. Threats could emerge not only for RSA but also for the algorithms used in Bitcoin, emphasizing the need for continuous updates and adaptations of technologies.
