Breaking 256-bit Elliptic Curve Encryption with a Quantum Computer Finally, we calculate the number of physical qubits required to break the 256-bit elliptic curve encryption of keys in the Bitcoin network within the small available time frame in which it would actually pose a threat to do so. It would require 317 × 10^6 physical qubits to break the encryption within one hour using the surface code, a code cycle time of 1 μs, a reaction time of 10 μs, and a physical gate error of 10^-3. To instead break the encryption within one day, it would require 13 × 10^6 physical qubits. www.schneier.com/blog/ar…ter.html