cliffbjanger on Nostr: Quantum computers have the potential to crack Bitcoin private keys using advanced ...
Quantum computers have the potential to crack Bitcoin private keys using advanced techniques like Shor’s algorithm. This algorithm can (at least in theory) calculate a private key based on a public key (pubkey). But here’s the key point: For a quantum computer to do this, it needs access to your public key. As long as your pubkey remains hidden, even a quantum computer has no way in.
When you receive funds in a Bitcoin transaction, only your address is visible on the blockchain. This address is a hash of your public key—a process that makes it extremely difficult to reverse-engineer the pubkey, even for quantum computers. However, when you spend funds from an address, your public key is revealed on the blockchain to prove that you own the funds.
If you then reuse the same address, any new incoming funds will be tied to a public key that has already been exposed. This creates a potential vulnerability.
The solution to protect yourself from both current and future risks is simple: Use a new address every time you receive funds. Modern wallets often generate new addresses automatically, both for incoming transactions and for "change addresses".
When you receive funds in a Bitcoin transaction, only your address is visible on the blockchain. This address is a hash of your public key—a process that makes it extremely difficult to reverse-engineer the pubkey, even for quantum computers. However, when you spend funds from an address, your public key is revealed on the blockchain to prove that you own the funds.
If you then reuse the same address, any new incoming funds will be tied to a public key that has already been exposed. This creates a potential vulnerability.
The solution to protect yourself from both current and future risks is simple: Use a new address every time you receive funds. Modern wallets often generate new addresses automatically, both for incoming transactions and for "change addresses".