The notion that quantum computers could potentially crack bitcoin's cryptography has sparked widespread concern, but recent studies suggest that the reality is more complex. Two papers highlight the limitations of quantum attacks on bitcoin, citing the enormous energy requirements and the lack of real-world progress in quantum factoring. The first paper estimates that a quantum mining attack would need an enormous amount of energy, equivalent to that of a star, while the second paper demonstrates that many quantum factoring breakthroughs can be replicated using outdated computers and simple methods.
Despite the constraints, the threat to bitcoin wallets remains a concern, and developers are working on fixes to reduce key exposure and create quantum-resistant signatures.