Bitcoin

The quantum computing revolution is accelerating, with major breakthroughs in 2024 bringing us closer to cryptographically relevant quantum computers (CRQCs). Current RSA and elliptic curve cryptography will become vulnerable to quantum attacks within the next decade. Organizations must begin migrating to quantum-safe cryptography now to avoid catastrophic security failures. Understanding the Quantum Threat Quantum computers leverage quantum mechanical phenomena to perform calculations exponentially faster than classical computers for specific problems. Shor’s algorithm, when implemented on a sufficiently powerful quantum computer, can break current public-key cryptographic systems in polynomial time. ...

January 10, 2024, marked a watershed moment for cryptocurrency markets when the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission approved 11 spot Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, ending a decade-long regulatory battle and opening institutional floodgates to the world’s largest cryptocurrency. This historic decision represents more than regulatory capitulation—it signifies crypto’s transformation from speculative asset to mainstream investment vehicle. The approval triggered immediate market reactions, with Bitcoin surging past $49,000 and traditional financial institutions scrambling to offer crypto exposure to clients previously barred from direct investment. Understanding the implications requires examining the approval process, market dynamics, and long-term consequences for both cryptocurrency and traditional finance. ...

The Bitcoin network is approaching its third halving event in May 2020, a programmed reduction in mining rewards that occurs approximately every four years. This fundamental monetary policy mechanism has profound implications for Bitcoin’s economics, mining industry, and broader cryptocurrency markets. Understanding Bitcoin Halving Bitcoin halving is an automated process built into the Bitcoin protocol that reduces the block reward paid to miners by 50% every 210,000 blocks (approximately four years). This mechanism ensures Bitcoin’s scarcity and controls inflation. ...