Researcher Claims 1 Bitcoin Prize for Achieving Largest Quantum Attack on Underlying Technology

The theoretical threat of quantum attacks on cryptocurrency has become more tangible with the recent achievement of independent researcher Giancarlo Lelli. Lelli was awarded 1 bitcoin, valued at approximately $78,000, by quantum security startup Project Eleven for breaking a 15-bit elliptic curve key on publicly accessible quantum hardware. This feat is considered the largest public demonstration of its kind and has significant implications for the security of major blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum. Elliptic curve cryptography, which enables crypto wallets to prove ownership without revealing private keys, is vulnerable to quantum computer attacks using Shor's algorithm. Although Lelli's achievement does not pose an immediate threat to Bitcoin, which uses 256-bit elliptic curve security, it highlights the rapidly advancing capabilities of quantum computing and the need for the cryptocurrency community to develop and implement quantum-resistant security measures. The previous public demonstration of a quantum attack on elliptic curve cryptography was a 6-bit break, achieved by Steve Tippeconnic in September 2025. Lelli's 15-bit result represents a 512-fold increase in just seven months, demonstrating the accelerating pace of progress in quantum computing. The concern is particularly pressing for wallets with publicly visible addresses, estimated to hold around 6.9 million bitcoin, or roughly one-third of the total supply. To address this vulnerability, developers have proposed migration paths, including the introduction of quantum-safe address types, and several major blockchains have published post-quantum transition plans.