Chinese scientists calculate a 48-bit key on a quantum computer
To crack the most complex 2048-bit cipher, a computer of 50-100 qubits is needed
06.01.2023 - 13:00
723
2 min
0
What’s new? On December 23, scientists and researchers at leading Chinese universities published a paper with the results of tests of a 10-qubit quantum computer. According to the published data, they were able to calculate a 48-bit RSA public key.
What is RSA? RSA is a public-key cryptographic algorithm. It is one of the most popular algorithms for data encryption and is also used for digital signatures. The algorithm name comes from the first letters of the last names of its creators (Rivest, Shamir, and Adelman). The algorithm uses two keys — a private key for encryption and decryption, and a public key for validation. Before the advent of quantum computers, the algorithm was considered secure; now its security is threatened because quantum computers can decompose long integers into multiples in a short time.
The success with the cracking of the RSA algorithm’s public key by a 10-key computer by Chinese scientists poses risks to cryptocurrency crypto systems as well. In the published paper, the authors note that a computer of 50-100 qubits is needed to crack the most complex 2048-bit cipher.
In February 2022, US banking giant JPMorgan Chase unveiled research of a quantum key distribution (QKD) blockchain network that is resistant to quantum computing attacks. According to a statement, the company collaborated with Toshiba and Ciena to deploy and test the QKD blockchain. QKD uses quantum mechanics and cryptography to provide a secure exchange of data between two parties, as well as to detect and protect against third parties trying to eavesdrop on the exchange. The technology is seen as reliable protection against potential blockchain hacks that can be carried out by quantum computers in the future.
Useful material?
Telegram 
Twitter Incidents
The Digital Crime Task Force will look for suspicious transfers on the Tron network and help police freeze funds before they are moved out.
Nov 12, 2026
Incidents
In a single week, hackers went after PHP websites, the Railway cloud platform and a medical company, and experts started talking about a crisis that is only just beginning.
Oct 28, 2026
Incidents
In 104 minutes, the attacker emptied 1,404 addresses before validators halted the network and froze almost all of the loot.
Oct 19, 2026
Incidents
Developers warned of potential risks to bridges across the ecosystem and asked exchanges for assistance.
Jun 22, 2026
Incidents
The defendant helped move funds stolen through investment scams and earned at least $4 million for his role in the operation.
Jun 10, 2026
Incidents
The company is linking the incident to a compromised private key on a service wallet, rather than a smart contract exploit
May 22, 2026
Cryptocurrency rates
-
Bitcoin
$65 105
BTC
-5.18%
-
Ethereum
$1 815.09
ETH
-5.82%
-
Ripple
$1.42
XRP
+1.04%
-
BNB Smart Chain
$584.57
BSC
-7.28%
-
TRON
$0.308532
TRX
-1.48%
-
Zcash
$856.48
ZEC
-9.16%
-
Dogecoin
$0.059689
DOGE
-7.8%
-
Cardano
$0.218269
ADA
+2.11%
-
Stellar XLM
$0.184461
XLM
+2.83%
-
Polkadot
$3.32
DOT
+5.27%