Google will make a quantum leap in 2029
Google has set a 2029 deadline for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) migration, warning that the “quantum frontiers” may be closer than they appear.
On Wednesday, Google heightened the urgency to act quickly, with rapid advances in quantum computing hardware and quantum error correction, predicting that a quantum machine could quickly break today's encryption standards.
“Quantum computers pose a significant threat to current cryptographic standards, especially cryptography and digital signatures,” Google said, noting that PQC migration is needed for users to securely use authentication services.
This is the first time Google has laid out a timeline for rolling out post-quantum capabilities in its products. The 2029 timeline for Q-Day is earlier than some industry estimates — the point at which quantum computers will be powerful enough to break current public-key encryption.
“It's our responsibility to lead by example and share great moments. By doing so, we hope to provide the clarity and urgency needed to accelerate digital transformations not just for Google, but for the industry as well.”
The emergency call comes as Google continues to develop its Willow quantum chip, which has 105 qubits of computing power, making it the most powerful in the industry.
There is also growing concern that quantum computers could potentially disrupt the cryptographic industry by breaking the cryptographic algorithms used to protect digital assets. However, there is still debate as to whether only crypto wallets with public keys are vulnerable, or whether all coins are vulnerable.
Crypto networks will also see post-quantum improvements
The Ethereum Foundation on Tuesday launched the “Post-Quantum Ethereum” resource center, which aims to protect the blockchain from future quantum computing threats and protect the billions of dollars worth of the network.
The post-quantum team plans to implement quantum-resistant solutions at the protocol level in Ethereum by 2029.
In January 2025, Solana developers created a quantum-resistant vault on the Solana blockchain to protect user funds from quantum risks by implementing a complex hash-based signature system that generates new keys every time a transaction is made.
Related: Google Unveils iOS Exploit Tool Used in Crypto Phishing Attacks
However, to access the feature, Solana users must store their funds in Winternitz storage instead of regular Solana wallets, as it is not a network-wide security upgrade.
Meanwhile, there is growing division within the Bitcoin ecosystem over what action, if any, developers should take.
Blockstream CEO Adam Back, one of the strongest voices in the Bitcoin ecosystem, says that quantum risks are widely overstated and that no action is needed for decades.
On the other hand, security researcher Ethan Helman and others have proposed a new type of token for Bitcoin called Pay-to-Merkle-Root through Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 360 (BIP-360), which seeks to protect Bitcoin addresses against short-term vulnerability quantum attacks.
However, that implementation could take seven years, Helman told Cointelegraph in February.
Magazine: No one knows if quantum secure encryption even works
