Quantum computers could bring lost Bitcoin back to life

Quantum technology, which emerged from quantum mechanics in the early 1900s, offers the potential to solve complex problems at unprecedented speeds. Current quantum computers are much faster than classical computers, but experts like Adam Back and Michael Saylor believe they are still years away from posing a real threat to Bitcoin. Quantum technology could undermine Bitcoin's cryptographic security, particularly through the ECDSA used in wallets. The Shor algorithm, introduced in 1994, allows quantum computers to break existing cryptographic algorithms, which poses a future risk for Bitcoin wallets linked to older addresses. Analysts estimate that between 2.3 million and 3.7 million Bitcoin are lost, and quantum recovery technologies could potentially reintegrate these dormant coins into circulation. This could destabilize Bitcoin's market value. To protect their assets, users are advised to minimize public key exposure and avoid reusing wallet addresses, while ongoing research aims to develop quantum-resistant wallets and protocols for Bitcoin's future.

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