AI and quantum computing heighten crypto security risk

Security experts warn that artificial intelligence is accelerating the development of quantum computers capable of breaking the elliptic‑curve cryptography that underpins most blockchain networks. The combined advance of AI and quantum research could enable attackers to derive private keys from public keys, endangering assets on platforms such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, Zcash, Solana and NEAR.

Industry leaders, including Alex Pruden, CEO of Project Eleven, and Illia Polosukhin, co‑founder of NEAR Protocol, note that AI is being used to speed up quantum error‑correction research while also providing tools for automated code audits and formal verification of post‑quantum algorithms. At the same time, governments and sophisticated actors are reportedly harvesting encrypted internet traffic now with the expectation of decrypting it once quantum capabilities mature.

Developers are responding by exploring post‑quantum cryptography and integrating AI‑driven security testing, but the consensus is that the security landscape will fundamentally change, requiring all blockchain projects to reevaluate their cryptographic assumptions.