{"id":79205,"date":"2026-10-07T22:04:08","date_gmt":"2026-10-07T22:04:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/europol-warns-quantum-threat-could-put-crypto-fortunes-at-risk\/"},"modified":"2026-10-07T22:04:08","modified_gmt":"2026-10-07T22:04:08","slug":"europol-warns-quantum-threat-could-put-crypto-fortunes-at-risk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/europol-warns-quantum-threat-could-put-crypto-fortunes-at-risk\/","title":{"rendered":"Europol Warns Quantum Threat Could Put Crypto Fortunes at Risk"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News )<\/b><br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div>\n<div class=\"@container mb-[25px] rounded-sm overflow-clip py-0.5 pr-0.5 pl-2.5 bg-success-100\">\n<div class=\"flex flex-col gap-m overflow-clip rounded-[6px] !bg-success-10 p-3 @[420px]:p-m\">\n<h2 class=\"m-0 flex items-center gap-s text-[19px] !text-[#1c1c1c] md:text-[20px]\"><svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"10\" viewbox=\"0 0 16 10\" fill=\"none\" class=\"shrink-0 text-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><path d=\"M1 1.5h14\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><path d=\"M1 8.5h10\" stroke=\"currentColor\" stroke-width=\"2.5\" stroke-linecap=\"round\"\/><\/svg><span>Key Takeaways<\/span><\/h2>\n<ul class=\"m-0 flex list-none flex-col gap-m pl-0\">\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">Europol explains that quantum attacks threaten wallet keys more than blockchain integrity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">Bitcoin UTXO migration could consume at least 76 days of block capacity.<\/span><\/li>\n<li class=\"m-0 flex items-start gap-s !text-[#434248]\"><span class=\"mt-2 size-2 shrink-0 rounded-full bg-success-100\" aria-hidden=\"true\"\/><span class=\"text-body\">NIST post-quantum standards offer crypto an escape route before quantum attacks arrive.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h2>Europol Says Quantum Computers Threaten Crypto Keys, Not Blockchains<\/h2>\n<p>The popular <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/security\/fidelity-warns-bitcoins-private-keys-face-future-quantum-risk\/\">quantum-computing nightmare<\/a> theory ends with a powerful machine cracking Bitcoin\u2019s cryptography and tearing the blockchain apart at the seams. Europol\u2019s European Cybercrime Centre says some descriptions of that story get the mechanics wrong.<\/p>\n<p>The agency\u2019s report, \u201c<a href=\"https:\/\/www.europol.europa.eu\/cms\/sites\/default\/files\/documents\/Quantum-computing-cryptocurrencies.pdf\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Quantum Computing and Cryptocurrencies<\/a>,\u201d argues that blockchain integrity is considerably better positioned against quantum attacks than the cryptography proving who actually owns the coins. \u201cThe primary risk lies in the vulnerability of cryptocurrency wallets that rely on public-key cryptography,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n<h2>The Bitcoin Blockchain Isn\u2019t a Sitting Duck<\/h2>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/deciphering-the-differences-between-proof-of-stake-and-proof-of-work\/\">Bitcoin\u2019s proof-of-work (PoW) system<\/a> leans heavily on cryptographic hash functions, while proof-of-stake (PoS) networks such as Ethereum also depend on hashes to link blocks and preserve ledger integrity. Quantum computing doesn\u2019t give an attacker a magic skeleton key to those functions. Europol researchers detail that Grover\u2019s algorithm can accelerate certain search problems, but compromising a 256-bit hash would still require roughly 2\u00b9\u00b2\u2078 quantum operations.<\/p>\n<p>That leaves blockchain integrity on much firmer ground than public-key cryptography. \u201cIn both PoW and PoS systems, hash functions are largely quantum-safe,\u201d the report explains. Europol\u2019s analysis draws the line plainly, stating:<\/p>\n<blockquote>\n<p>\u201cThe primary quantum risk lies in public-key cryptography used by wallets, not the blockchain itself, which remains secure thanks to hash functions.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<h2>Your Public Key Becomes the Problem<\/h2>\n<p>Cryptocurrency ownership relies on a mathematical relationship between a public key and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bitcoin.com\/wallet\/what-is-a-private-key\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">its corresponding private key<\/a>. With conventional computers, working backward from one to discover the other is computationally impractical. A sufficiently advanced quantum computer running Shor\u2019s algorithm changes the arithmetic.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis would allow an attacker to derive private keys from public information, enabling the forging of digital signatures or the decryption of previously secure communications,\u201d Europol says.<\/p>\n<p>That\u2019s where the story takes a nasty turn. Some cryptocurrency public keys have already been exposed, and Europol says there\u2019s no way to put that toothpaste back in the tube. \u201cOnce a public key is exposed, it remains permanently vulnerable to future quantum decryption,\u201d the report warns.<\/p>\n<p>For those wallets, Europol\u2019s prescription is blunt: \u201cExposed EOAs cannot be secured retroactively. They must be abandoned in favor of quantum-resistant alternatives.\u201d<\/p>\n<h2>The 76-Day Bitcoin Moving Job<\/h2>\n<p>The good news is that quantum-resistant cryptography isn\u2019t merely sitting on a chalkboard. Europol points to <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/featured\/world-adds-post-quantum-security-to-new-zk-proving-toolkit\/\">post-quantum cryptography<\/a>, including NIST-standardized schemes, as the leading long-term defense. The real jam is getting decentralized networks, wallets, and users switched over.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_854148\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-854148\" style=\"width:1912px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-854148\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Image source: Europol\u2019s report \u201cQuantum Computing and Cryptocurrencies.\u201d<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>\u201cThe most critical challenge in post-quantum migration is not the development of quantum-resistant algorithms, as these already exist, but the execution of a global transition under tight constraints,\u201d Europol says.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/triple-entry-bookkeeping-how-satoshi-nakamoto-solved-the-byzantine-generals-problem\/\">Bitcoin\u2019s design<\/a> makes the scale visible. The report cites research estimating that migrating all unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) would consume the equivalent of at least 76 days of continuous downtime if the Bitcoin blockchain were devoted entirely to the job. That\u2019s plainly impractical. Stretching migration across 300 days while reserving 25% of each block for the transition is presented as one possible alternative.<\/p>\n<p>And there\u2019s no central switch to flip. Developers, miners, node operators, wallet providers, exchanges, and users would have to coordinate the change while the network keeps running.<\/p>\n<h2>Europol Says Start Before the Clock Runs Out<\/h2>\n<p>Europol isn\u2019t forecasting cryptocurrency\u2019s funeral. Quite the opposite. \u201cCryptocurrencies will not collapse due to quantum computing, but their long-term security requires proactive defense,\u201d the report concludes.<\/p>\n<p>The problem is timing. Waiting until a cryptographically relevant <a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/a-quantum-computer-could-one-day-break-crypto-security-coinbase-is-preparing-now\/\">quantum computer<\/a> appears would leave exposed wallets racing against machinery potentially capable of deriving their private keys. Europol\u2019s message amounts to an old newsroom maxim in technological clothing: Don\u2019t wait until the presses stop to fix the press.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe quantum threat is not merely a distant possibility\u2014it is a looming deadline that offers an opportunity to prepare,\u201d the report says. \u201cThe time to act is now.\u201d<\/p>\n<div class=\"not-prose my-3 lg:my-4\">\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden rounded-lg !bg-[#E8EDFA] p-[9px] hidden md:flex md:flex-row md:gap-3 lg:hidden\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"relative size-[150px] min-w-[150px] shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-[15px]\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/quantum-safe-quantus-launches-qtc-token-near-intents-trading\/\"><img alt=\"Quantum-Safe Quantus Launches QTC Token Trading via Near Intents\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"object-cover\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" sizes=\"150px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 32w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=48&amp;q=75 48w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 64w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=128&amp;q=75 128w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=256&amp;q=75 256w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute left-2 top-2\"><img alt=\"Bitcoin.com News\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"size-7\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, \/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/div>\n<div class=\"overflow-hidden rounded-lg !bg-[#E8EDFA] p-[9px] hidden lg:flex lg:flex-row lg:gap-4\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" tabindex=\"-1\" class=\"relative size-[150px] min-w-[150px] shrink-0 overflow-hidden rounded-[15px]\" href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/quantum-safe-quantus-launches-qtc-token-near-intents-trading\/\"><img alt=\"Quantum-Safe Quantus Launches QTC Token Trading via Near Intents\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"fill\" class=\"object-cover\" style=\"position:absolute;height:100%;width:100%;left:0;top:0;right:0;bottom:0;color:transparent\" sizes=\"150px\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 32w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=48&amp;q=75 48w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 64w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=128&amp;q=75 128w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=256&amp;q=75 256w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=384&amp;q=75 384w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=640&amp;q=75 640w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=828&amp;q=75 828w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1080&amp;q=75 1080w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1200&amp;q=75 1200w, \/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75 1920w\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fstatic.news.bitcoin.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2026%2F10%2Fqtc-goes-live-without-cex-listing-as-near-intents-opens-180-assets-150x150.png&amp;w=1920&amp;q=75\"\/><\/p>\n<div class=\"absolute left-2 top-2\"><img alt=\"Bitcoin.com News\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"28\" height=\"28\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"size-7\" style=\"color:transparent\" srcset=\"\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=32&amp;q=75 1x, \/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75 2x\" src=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/_next\/image\/?url=%2Fimages%2Fuploads%2Fbitcoin_news_newlogo.svg&amp;w=64&amp;q=75\"\/><\/div>\n<p><\/a><\/p>\n<div class=\"flex min-w-0 flex-1 flex-col justify-center gap-2\">\n<p class=\"m-0 line-clamp-2 text-base leading-[1.3] !text-[#67656E]\">Quantum-focused blockchain Quantus has launched trading for its QTC token through near.com and Near Intents, giving users access to more\u2026<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/news.bitcoin.com\/technology\/europol-warns-quantum-threat-could-put-crypto-fortunes-risk\/\">Source link <\/a><br \/>\n<br \/><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>(Originally posted on : Bitcoin News ) Key Takeaways Europol explains that quantum attacks threaten wallet keys more than blockchain integrity. Bitcoin UTXO migration could consume at least 76 days of block capacity. NIST post-quantum standards offer crypto an escape route before quantum attacks arrive. Europol Says Quantum Computers Threaten Crypto Keys, Not Blockchains The [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":19,"featured_media":79206,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[32],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79205"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/19"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=79205"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/79205\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/79206"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=79205"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=79205"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/crowdfundjunction.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=79205"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}