Google announces quantum advantage, 13,000 times faster than supercomputers

Researchers astatine tech elephantine Google said they mapped retired the operation of a molecule 13,000 times faster than the astir almighty “supercomputers” disposable today, achieving the archetypal verifiable quantum advantage.

The experimentation used Google’s Willow Quantum processor and “quantum echoes,” a method that uses targeted waves to representation an entity successful detail, according to Google.

The method targets a azygous qubit, the basal portion of accusation retention successful quantum computing, with a precise signal, causing it to react. The process is past reversed, allowing the researchers to measurement the “echo” oregon awesome that bounces back, Google said.

The 4 steps successful Google’s caller quantum machine experiment. Source: Google

Google’s experimentation is verifiable, meaning that the aforesaid results tin beryllium obtained by moving the experimentation connected immoderate quantum machine system with the aforesaid method specifications arsenic the 1 the researchers used. 

A sufficiently almighty quantum machine could crack the encryption algorithms that underpin cryptocurrencies, and are besides utilized to unafraid delicate accusation successful banking, aesculapian and subject applications. Encryption is the halfway component that makes integer assets and peer-to-peer concern possible.

An illustration showing however interference tin fortify the quantum echo and reliably representation retired and measurement information. Source: Nature

Related: What if quantum computers already broke Bitcoin?

Quantum computing and the existential menace to crypto

Quantum computers could render elliptic curve integer signature algorithms (ECDSA), the cryptography utilized to make nationalist Bitcoin (BTC) addresses matched to a backstage key, obsolete arsenic aboriginal arsenic 2030, according to experts.

“This is the biggest azygous menace to Bitcoin since its inception from the ashes of the planetary fiscal crisis,” David Carvalho, laminitis and main idiosyncratic astatine the Naoris decentralized cybersecurity protocol, said.

Bitcoin and different decentralized protocols endure from a corporate enactment problem, wherever the communities take to statement theoretical solutions, alternatively than instrumentality known workarounds arsenic soon arsenic possible, Carvalho added.

Quantum computers are not yet almighty capable to ace encryption standards, according to Mental Outlaw, a pseudonymous YouTuber who covers technology.

Modern encryption cardinal lengths scope anyplace from 2,048 to 4,096 bits, with existent quantum computers lone capable to interruption keys of astir 22 bits successful size oregon less, Mental Outlaw said.

However, investors and companies are seeking to get up of the occupation by urging the adoption of post-quantum cryptography standards earlier a sufficiently almighty quantum machine emerges.

The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) received a submission successful September, outlining a roadmap for quantum-resistant encryption standards by 2035.

Magazine: Bitcoin vs. the quantum machine threat: Timeline and solutions (2025–2035)