Quantum computing’s accelerating breakthroughs are forcing the crypto sector to confront a long-anticipated question.

How long before quantum machines can break Bitcoin security?

Blockchain analytics firm Chainalysis, in a report published on Nov. 19, estimates that sufficiently powerful quantum systems capable of cracking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography could emerge within 10 to 15 years, placing the industry on a firm countdown toward quantum readiness.

The warning follows rapid progress in the field, including Google’s recent demonstration of quantum processors operating thousands of times faster than classical supercomputers.

While these systems cannot yet threaten blockchain networks, analysts argue that the pace of improvement is narrowing the gap faster than many expected.