Bitcoin News Today: Google Executive Says Bitcoin's Seed Phrase Security Defies Quantum Advances

A former Google executive has argued that Bitcoin’s cryptographic security remains intact despite recent breakthroughs in quantum computing. Graham Cooke, CEO of Brava and a veteran of Google Europe, emphasized that the mathematical complexity of Bitcoin’s seed phrases makes them practically unbreakable, even in the face of rapidly advancing quantum technologies [1].

Cooke pointed to Microsoft’s recent development of a million-qubit quantum computing design as a catalyst for renewed concerns about the vulnerability of Bitcoin’s encryption. However, he maintained that current cryptographic standards, particularly those tied to 12- and 24-word recovery phrases, present an insurmountable barrier to decryption. A 24-word phrase, for example, offers approximately 10^77 possible combinations—far exceeding the number of stars in the observable universe [2].

He further calculated that even with an unrealistic scenario involving 8 billion people each using a billion supercomputers testing a billion combinations per second, it would still take more than 10^40 years to crack a single key. This is an order of magnitude longer than the estimated age of the universe [3].

Cooke also noted that the timeline for practical quantum computing remains distant. While Microsoft’s topological qubit design is promising, functional quantum machines capable of breaking current encryption protocols are likely years, if not decades, away. Additionally, the industry is already adapting—NIST released post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024, and blockchain projects are beginning to implement quantum-resistant digital signatures [4].

A key point in Cooke’s argument is the scalability of the mathematical security provided by seed phrases. The same level of protection that secures a wallet on a basic smartphone is available to anyone, regardless of wealth or technological infrastructure. This democratization of cryptographic security, he argued, is a foundational advantage of Bitcoin and similar systems [5].

Despite the theoretical risks associated with quantum computing, Cooke stressed that the real-world application of such threats remains speculative. The cryptographic architecture underpinning Bitcoin continues to evolve, with industry players actively working on solutions that can withstand future computational advances.

Sources:

[1] Google veteran says quantum computing can't crack Bitcoin (https://beincrypto.com/google-veteran-says-quantum-computing-cant-crack-bitcoin/)

[2] Quantum Computers Won't Break Bitcoin, Says Cooke (https://www.cointribune.com/en/quantum-computers-wont-break-bitcoin-says-cooke-2/)

[3] Quantum Computing Surge Rekindles Fears of Bitcoin (https://icoholder.com/en/news/quantum-computing-surge-rekindles-fears-of-bitcoin-hacking)

[4] Quantum (QMCO) News Flow (https://www.moomoo.com/stock/QMCO-US/news)

[5] Google Veteran: Seed Phrase Math Protects Bitcoin From Quantum Attack (https://www.coingecko.com/en/coins/surf-2)