Uweb Live Sharing Session Episode 217 Recap: The Mystery of 125,000 BTC Disappearing and the Quantum-Resistant Cryptography Revolution

Source: Uweb Live Sharing Course

Content Compilation: Peter_Techub News

On the evening of December 30, 2025, the 217th session of the Uweb Live Sharing Course was held as scheduled. This session focused on the “Mystery of 125,000 BTC Disappearance and the Quantum-Resistant Cryptography Revolution,” hosted by Dr. Yu Jianing, Principal of Uweb Hong Kong. Special guest speaker was Sturman Zhang, Founder and CEO of Quami Quantum and Chief Scientist of Guofu Quantum Laboratory. The live broadcast attracted nearly 600 viewers. The external segment included in-depth discussions on the potential threats of quantum computing to cryptographic security, while the internal segment was a private session for Uweb students, introducing new projects and technological layouts related to quantum resistance.

External Topic: From Science Fiction to Practical Combat—Who Will Trigger the Quantum and BTC Cryptography Crisis First?

Sturman Zhang began by discussing the current state of quantum computing, noting that general-purpose quantum computers with millions of qubits are still distant; the current world record is just over 100 qubits (Google and China’s “Zuchongzhi 3”). Growth is linear rather than exponential as per Moore’s Law. However, he emphasized that even specialized quantum computers without error correction reaching several thousand qubits could accelerate the cracking of existing asymmetric cryptography through special algorithms, making cryptography upgrades urgent.

Existing mainstream asymmetric cryptography systems (RSA for the internet, elliptic curve ECC for blockchain) are extremely vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm on quantum computers: classical computers require exponential time to crack, while quantum computers could reduce this to polynomial time, theoretically enabling “instant cracking.” Sturman Zhang used the Bloch sphere to illustrate the superposition property of qubits, which gives them innate parallel computing capabilities—this is the fundamental reason for quantum acceleration.

There are two main paths for quantum-resistant cryptography upgrades:

• High-cost quantum key distribution (QKD), such as the Micius satellite and ground fiber networks, providing “true random” symmetric keys based on physical principles, theoretically resistant to any algorithm (including future super-quantum algorithms).

• Low-cost post-quantum cryptography algorithms (PQC), which extend the time for quantum computer cracking to decades or centuries through software upgrades. Currently, global financial systems and cryptography agencies are actively promoting this.

Sturman Zhang pointed out that PQC signatures in hardware wallets can reach over 8,000 bytes, resulting in signing times exceeding 20 seconds and requiring higher-performance CPUs; on PCs and servers, signatures can be completed in a few seconds, suitable for rapid deployment.

Among the three major fields of quantum technology, quantum sensing and precision measurement are relatively mature, mainly used in military applications; quantum communication (primarily QKD) has some commercial basis; quantum computing remains a “dream level,” similar to controlled nuclear fusion—once breakthroughs occur, they will bring unlimited computing power.

The most attention-grabbing case is the Cambodian Prince Group’s Luobin mining pool’s 125,000 BTC seized by the U.S. Department of Justice. Zhang analyzed that this was not caused by quantum computers but exploited a pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) vulnerability: the pool used an outdated PRNG with only a 32-bit seed (Mersenne Twister), which high-performance classical computers can exhaustively brute-force in minutes to hours. In contrast, true random numbers (especially quantum random numbers) can reach 2^256 security levels, equivalent to the age of the universe in possible combinations, completely preventing brute-force attacks.

Sturman Zhang compared such attacks to “cheating”: future quantum computers might “solve problems according to rules” to reverse-engineer public keys, while pseudorandom number vulnerabilities are akin to “cheating by stealing answers.” The latter has already caused tangible losses and is much closer to reality.

Internal Segment (Uweb Student Private Session): Introduction to New Quantum-Resistant Projects

In the internal segment, Zhang shared in-depth about his team’s current layouts:

• Quantum Hardware Wallet: Completed hardware and software development with mass production capability, comparable to Ledger Nano X, slightly higher in price but with lower costs. Its core advantage is the built-in quantum random number chip (sources include Samsung mass-produced chips and national quantum solutions), completely replacing all pseudorandom number scenarios, ensuring private keys and encryption/decryption random numbers are truly random. Supports mainstream elliptic curve algorithms and has integrated PQC algorithms (such as Sphincs+ from NIST standards), making it the world’s first hardware wallet with both quantum random numbers and PQC.

• Financial Quantum Technology Infrastructure: The team is forming a “national team,” planning to establish headquarters in Beijing (in cooperation with central bank-affiliated institutions), with layouts in Shanghai, Hong Kong, Shenzhen, Hangzhou, and Hainan. The goal is to make quantum random number chips standard in U-shields/hardware wallets, integrate with PQC to enter the bank’s CFCA certificate system, and upgrade security for digital RMB and international trade settlement. They have deep collaboration with Guodu Quantum; B-end devices are provided by Guodu Quantum, while C-end devices are managed by the team.

• Decentralized Consensus Technology: The team proposed the “PoR (Proof of Randomness)” Macau algorithm, utilizing quantum random numbers to achieve fast, fair consensus, significantly improving blockchain performance while maintaining decentralization. It has been stably running on a small-scale test network for a year.

In terms of funding, the team has completed an angel round (led by Qiji Chuangtou’s Lu Qi) and a Pre-A round, and is pushing forward with a new round of financing (valuation of 250-300 million RMB), aiming to rapidly expand to nearly 100 members, accelerating national project applications and standard setting.

Summary

This session simplified complex quantum cryptography knowledge through accessible cases (such as the 125,000 BTC incident) and clear frameworks. Zhang emphasized that while the ultimate threat of quantum computing still requires time, the pseudorandom number vulnerability already poses a real crisis, urgently requiring hardware upgrades for true random numbers (especially quantum random numbers). Meanwhile, post-quantum cryptography (PQC) and quantum key distribution form a dual defense system, jointly building the security foundation for future finance and blockchain.

Principal Yu Jianing repeatedly reminded students: even if the content is complex, focus on key terms (such as PQC, true random numbers, Shor’s algorithm) and combine AI for further learning—this is the “golden key” to unlocking frontier technology. In 2026, the narrative around quantum technology is expected to further ferment, warranting ongoing attention to related assets and security upgrade opportunities.

Uweb will continue to deepen the delivery of technology-focused content, helping students grasp the new era of technological revolution and investment opportunities. Those who missed the live broadcast can watch the replay, and interested parties can follow upcoming courses and activities.

Introduction to the HKCDAA Digital Asset Analyst Certification Exam

The Digital Asset Analyst (HKCDAA) certification exam, launched by the Hong Kong Registered Digital Asset Analyst Society, aims to provide authoritative certification for professionals in the digital asset field. The exam covers fundamental theories of digital assets, blockchain technology, investment analysis, trading tools, risk management, regulatory laws, and professional ethics, cultivating and certifying globally-minded digital asset professionals.

The exam is now officially recognized within the Hong Kong Examination and Assessment Authority’s professional/occupational exam system (listed on the official website), administered by the HK Examination and Assessment Authority, and jointly managed with international authoritative exams like HKDSE, CFA, and FRM. This marks the official recognition by the Hong Kong Assessment Bureau, making it the only officially certified qualification in Hong Kong’s digital asset industry, establishing its irreplaceable authority within the industry, laying the foundation for standardization and professionalism in digital asset talent, and injecting more trustworthy expertise into the Web3.0 industry.

Holding the certification offers broad career prospects, including roles in financial institutions and investment firms, digital asset exchanges and Web3.0 companies, regulatory agencies and compliance departments, digital asset investment and wealth management, education and research institutions, among others. Suitable for practitioners in finance, digital assets, investors, regulators, compliance personnel, students, and beginners.

Scan the QR code to learn more about the Digital Asset Analyst