The Quantum Foundry

A Quantum Apocalypse Is Coming for the Internet

Google’s quantum research team released a white paper showing it can break 256‑bit elliptic‑curve cryptography using roughly 20 times fewer physical qubits than previously estimated. The breakthrough threatens the cryptographic foundations of most blockchains and many internet security protocols. The article warns that a "Q‑Day" could arrive in the 2030s, forcing banks, governments and tech firms to overhaul their encryption. It also highlights how advanced AI agents could amplify the risk of quantum‑enabled attacks.