Researchers from the Ethereum Foundation, Theta Labs and StarkWare have released a paper saying AI coding agents were used to deeply optimize core operations in Shor’s algorithm, cutting the computing resources needed for a potential quantum attack on the secp256k1 cryptography used by Bitcoin and Ethereum by more than 50% versus Google’s March benchmark this year. The paper says the circuit’s logical qubit requirement has been reduced to 1,151, with a later version pushing that figure down to 813. The researchers said current quantum hardware still cannot directly break public blockchains, but argued that algorithmic gains alone are materially shortening the timeline of the quantum threat. They also warned that post-quantum upgrades take a long time and cannot be applied retroactively, calling on the industry to prepare defenses in advance. The report was cited by Coindesk.
Researchers from the Ethereum Foundation, Theta Labs and StarkWare have jointly published a paper saying that AI coding agents were used to deeply optimize core operations in Shor’s algorithm, cutting the computing resources required for a potential quantum attack on the secp256k1 cryptography used by Bitcoin and Ethereum by more than 50% compared with Google’s benchmark from March this year.
Logical qubit requirement moved lower
According to the paper, the circuit’s logical qubit requirement has been reduced to 1,151. A later version lowered that figure further to 813.
Current hardware still cannot directly break public chains
The researchers said existing quantum hardware still cannot directly break public blockchains. Even so, the study argues that algorithmic optimization alone is bringing the quantum threat window materially closer.
Team warns the industry to prepare early
The researchers said post-quantum upgrades take a long time and cannot be applied retroactively, adding that the industry needs to start planning defenses in advance.
The item was reported by Coindesk.
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