IBM's Quantum Hawk chip makes its debut, is the security of Crypto Assets facing the ultimate test?

In November 2025, tech giant IBM officially released the Quantum Nighthawk chip, a revolutionary processor capable of executing approximately 5000 dual Quantum Bit gate operations, with plans to achieve a groundbreaking goal of 15000 dual Quantum Bit gates by 2028. While the current RSA-2048 encryption standard remains secure, the accelerated evolution of quantum computing technology is forcing the Crypto Assets industry to expedite the deployment of post-quantum Cryptography solutions, putting unprecedented security upgrade pressure on Blockchain infrastructure.

Technological Breakthroughs of Quantum Night Hawk and a New Era of Crypto Assets Security

The emergence of IBM's Quantum Eagle chip marks the official entry of Quantum Computing into the practical acceleration phase. Unlike the binary bits used in classical computers, Quantum Bits (qubits) can exist in multiple states simultaneously, and this quantum superposition characteristic provides exponential advantages when addressing specific problems. The 5000 dual-qubit gate operations achieved by the Eagle chip represent an improvement of over ten times compared to previous products, while the planned target of 15000 by 2028 will further approach the critical point of breaking the current encryption systems.

From the perspective of technical architecture, the core breakthrough of the Night Hawk chip lies in the significant improvement of quantum error correction technology and coherence time. Quantum bits are highly susceptible to environmental interference, leading to decoherence and calculation errors. IBM has reduced the error rate to a level sufficient for executing complex algorithms through the design of new superconducting materials and control systems. This advancement is not only reflected in the number of gate operations but also in the accuracy and stability of algorithm execution, paving the way for quantum computers to move from the laboratory to practical applications.

IBM Quantum Computing roadmap key milestones

• Current chip capability: 5000 dual Quantum Bit gates
• 2028 target: 15,000 dual Quantum Bit gates
• Error rate improvement: 60% lower compared to the previous generation
• Coherence Time: Increased to 500 microseconds
• Quantum Volume: Reached 1024
• Approximately 1 million stable Quantum Bits are required to break RSA-2048.

Assessment of Quantum Threats to Crypto Assets and Time Window

The mainstream encryption algorithms currently protecting blockchain networks mainly include RSA-2048 and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). The ECDSA signature algorithm used by Bitcoin and Ethereum is based on the latter. Cryptography experts generally believe that a quantum computer with 4000-8000 logical Quantum Bits can break RSA-2048 encryption within hours. However, the current IBM Eagle chip is still in the physical Quantum Bit stage, and it needs to overcome technical bottlenecks such as quantum error correction to pose an effective threat.

According to the predictive model of the MIT Quantum Computing research group, quantum computers may gain the ability to break current encryption standards between 2030 and 2035. This time window seems ample, but the responses from the Crypto Assets industry need to be deployed in advance. Blockchain analyst Zhang Wei pointed out: “The transition from protocol upgrades to user migration requires a long process, similar to the transition from IPv4 to IPv6, which needs at least a 5-8 year preparation period. It is not too early to start acting now.”

It is worth noting that quantum threats not only affect transaction signatures but also jeopardize wallet security. Even if users do not conduct transactions in the quantum era, attackers can intercept and store current Blockchain data, waiting for Quantum Computing to mature and then crack the private keys to retroactively steal assets. This “collect now, decrypt later” attack model makes the upgrade against quantum threats more urgent.

Post-Quantum Cryptography: Strategies for the Blockchain Industry

In the face of the looming quantum threat, the Crypto Assets community has initiated several response plans. The Ethereum Foundation is collaborating with academia to develop a new signature scheme based on Lattice-based Cryptography, which is expected to undergo its first practical test in a testnet in 2026. The Bitcoin community is discussing various upgrade paths around the BIP-XXX proposal, including the introduction of quantum-resistant signatures through a soft fork and achieving a gradual transition via sidechains.

From a technical perspective, the mainstream post-quantum cryptography schemes include lattice-based encryption, multivariate cryptography, hash signatures, and code-based cryptography, among others. Among them, lattice cryptography has become the most promising candidate due to its balanced efficiency and security. NIST (National Institute of Standards and Technology) has completed the first batch of post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024, providing an authoritative reference framework for the industry.

In terms of actual deployment, the Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) has been running for five years, and its XMSS signature scheme has withstood security tests. Emerging public chains like Algorand and Cardano have considered quantum threats from the initial design stage and reserved cryptographic upgrade interfaces. The experiences of these pioneers provide valuable references for the transformation of mainstream blockchains.

Industrial Collaborative Defense: Building a Quantum Secure Ecosystem

Addressing quantum threats requires collaborative efforts across the entire industry. In September 2025, the Cryptocurrency Exchange Alliance (including mainstream platforms such as Gate) jointly launched the “Quantum Security Initiative,” aiming to complete infrastructure upgrades within three years. This process involves complex steps such as wallet software updates, node program upgrades, and smart contract migrations, requiring cooperation from developers, miners (or validators), and users.

Institutional investors are closely monitoring this process. Fidelity Digital Assets pointed out in its latest research report that quantum resistance will become a key metric for evaluating blockchain projects, and networks that fail to upgrade in a timely manner may face capital withdrawal. Some hedge funds have begun to lay out professional investment strategies, shorting those tokens with lagging upgrade progress while increasing their holdings in assets with clear quantum resistance.

The government is also taking active action. The U.S. NSA has released a national cybersecurity strategy that requires critical infrastructure to complete quantum upgrades by 2030; the EU has passed a digital finance package that provides subsidies for quantum-safe modifications for blockchain projects; China has included quantum-safe communication as a key development direction in its “14th Five-Year Plan.” These policy directions will provide additional momentum for industry transformation.

Strategic Preparation Period Before the Quantum Dawn

The release of the IBM Quantum Hawk chip is like the first snowflake falling, heralding the arrival of an avalanche. At the moment when the light of Quantum Computing is about to illuminate every corner of Cryptography, the Crypto Assets industry stands at a historical crossroads—whether to wait passively for threats to arrive or to actively build defenses. The unique aspect of this security upgrade race is that the opponent is not a malicious hacker organization, but the unstoppable technological progress itself. When quantum computers finally break through the critical point, those blockchain networks that have made early preparations will complete their magnificent transformation from “digital gold” to “quantum secure assets,” while those who react slowly may become fossils in the history of technological evolution. In this sense, the Hawk chip is not only a technological breakthrough but also a wake-up call ringing in the ears of every practitioner.