Engineer Steve Tippeconnic has cracked a six-bit cryptographic key on ECC using IBM’s quantum computer.
— Steve Tippeconnic (@stevetipp) September 2, 2025
In the experiment, the specialist used IBM Torino’s 133-qubit processor to attack the simplified key. The algorithm executed a 340,000-layer quantum circuit and successfully computed the private key from the public equation.
In June, Chinese scientists from Shanghai University cracked 22-bit encryption of RSA.
What Does This Mean for Bitcoin and Ethereum?
According to experts, the latest advancement in quantum computing does not threaten the security of the largest blockchains. Bitcoin and Ethereum use a more robust algorithm — ECC-256. Cracking it with current technology remains impossible.
Progress: This demo shows IBM’s 133-qubit quantum computer cracking a tiny 6-bit elliptic curve key (like those in Bitcoin) using Shoe’s algorithm variant. Real crypto uses 256-bit keys.https://t.co/lhFhmUfIPN
— JaguarAnalytics (@JaguarAnalytics) September 3, 2025
Scientist and founder of Pauli Group, Pierre-Luc Dallaire Demers, noted that the next step will be experiments with error correction. This will enable the creation of “deep circuits with full reversible modular arithmetic subroutines.”
If he keeps going like that, @stevetipp will just end up breaking ECC-256 at some point.
Next step would be experiments with error correction to start building up very deep circuits with the full reversible modular arithmetic subroutines. https://t.co/WjkAO4mmSo
— Pierre-Luc (@dallairedemers) September 3, 2025
“If [Tippeconnic] continues in this vein, he will eventually reach ECC-256,” he added.
Some have pointed out that cracking a six-bit cryptographic key cannot be considered an achievement.
“When you see hype about quantum computers, do as I do — just ignore it. A six-bit elliptic curve key is only 64 possible combinations. I can ‘crack’ it with pen and paper in a couple of hours. It’s not even worth posting about, but this is X — and it will spread like wildfire,” wrote user Adrian Morris.
Back in July, a group of developers found a way to protect the first cryptocurrency’s network from potential threats posed by quantum computers.
Подписывайтесь на ForkLog в социальных сетях
Нашли ошибку в тексте? Выделите ее и нажмите CTRL+ENTER
Рассылки ForkLog: держите руку на пульсе биткоин-индустрии!