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What Bitcoin Did

WILL QUANTUM BREAK BITCOIN? W/ Hunter Beast

Mar 11, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Hunter Beast, a Bitcoin researcher dedicated to mitigating quantum computing threats to Bitcoin security, dives deep into the potential risks quantum technology poses to cryptocurrency. He shares insights on Q-Day, when quantum computers could break Bitcoin's encryption, and the preparation efforts from governments and institutions. Hunter highlights BIP 360, his proposal for post-quantum cryptography, and emphasizes the importance of adapting Bitcoin's security measures to face the rapidly advancing world of quantum computing.
01:10:34

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Quantum computing poses significant risks to Bitcoin's cryptographic security, requiring urgent development of quantum-resistant cryptographic strategies.
  • BIP 360 aims to enhance Bitcoin's security by introducing post-quantum cryptography through a new address format and advanced signature algorithms.

Deep dives

The Quantum Computing Threat

There is a growing concern about the potential threat that quantum computing poses to Bitcoin. As developers and researchers explore quantum capabilities, they acknowledge that although significant advancements are still several years away, the investments made by large companies raise alarms. The fear centers around the ability of quantum computers to break conventional cryptographic algorithms, particularly those used in Bitcoin's security mechanisms. Therefore, addressing this threat by developing quantum-resistant cryptographic strategies has become paramount.

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