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https://interestingengineering.com/google-says-that-they-have-just-reached-quantum-supremacy


Quantum computers are a threat for many blockchains, including BITCOIN.

Are you guys scared? Is this the gov's hidden ace against bitcoin since they can't force people to stop using it?

https://i.imgur.com/U6yM2HG.jpg
and
https://i.imgur.com/3hmlktu.jpg
[source: https://www.ft.com/content/b9bb4e54-dbc1-11e9-8f9b-77216ebe1f17]

The paper has also disappeared from the NASA website.


Not at all.
Besides, we would have far bigger problems to deal with than bitcoin.
Better worry about IT Security in general.

Can we please stop these Quantum Computer spams going around recently all over the forum? There are numerous topics regarding "Can bitcoin be destroyed using QC?" and people making the same posts over and over again. As of now, the Quantum computers would prove a threat when people tend to reuse the same addresses over and over again for receiving the coins. On such instances, public key of the bitcoin address might be figured out which with the help of QC can be helpful in displaying the private keys.

Currently there are no real ways or ideas where a QC can break through the SHA256 function and find out a public key but OTOH a future QC can break a public key cryptography and reveal the private key. The QC pose a threat for PKC type of algorithms but they cannot break the hash functions and if they come nearer to them, we can certainly double up the bit sizes. QC require around 1500 qubits to crack the ECDSA algorithm and the current working IBM Q System One has only 20 quantum bit. So it might take around 10-20 years for a quantum computer to reach at least 1000 quantum bits.But at least our bitcoin developers would find a way to adopt Bitcoin with Post-Quantum Cryptography techniques.

The recent Google's Quantum Supremacy is said to have an array of only 54 qbits which is only 2.7 times the qbits developed by IBM Q. When we find out a possible way to break ECDSA, we would be adopting for the post-quantum cryptography. Security Engineers and Hackers are always same and neither of them can win the game of security always. For instance, if a hacker exploits a system the security expert finds out a way to minimize the vulnerability at the earliest.

Everyone need to have a deep read on this topic : I don't believe Quantum Computing will ever threaten Bitcoin (https://bitcointalk.org/index.php?topic=5157696.0) before starting any topics further on quantum computers and their threat to Bitcoin or cryptography.

Let's talk again in 5-10 years when the viability of deriving private keys from public keys might become worth discussing.

For now I'm just glad to see some progress being made, QC is going to be a boon for physics.

Thanks for the very informative post.

My apologies for the thread, i only took a quick look at the first page of this section before opening it.

Do you know how many thousands of years it takes to break one single private key man?
This Super computer of google or whatever has nothing to do with jeopardizing Bitcoin or cryptio in general.
We're more than safe at least for the next couple tens of years.

There is a genuine concern that in fact quantum computing renders all classical cryptography obsolete. This has been a theory for many years, but of course even the computers themselves had been theoretical (and some people have even made programs for these theoretical computers).

However one thing is truth is that this is slowly but steadily advancing, and we shouldn't go back to sleep. Even if its not today or not particularly that Google computer, you can be assured that the first people who are able to get one big enough to do harm, will keep it quiet (or ordered to remain quiet), America DOES have gag orders and national security, so an American company is the last source of reliable information on these matters to be made public in time.

It will go something like this, perhaps in Japan, or i don't know what other country, something "better" than these Google/IBM computers come, and them other countries join the race, while "still not quite there" as you are right now writing here.

And from America, silence. Or perhaps a few more announcements, then silence.

You won't know it, but the NSA is in my bet one of the first institutions to have one operating, provided by one of those American corporations sure, but in their control. Perhaps this is but a race to the bid, the State can be such a juicy client, even if it means going silent when they order it.

And remember when this time comes, it would be too late for "discussion". Discussion should be done now, and solutions implemented.  There have been proposed solutions to mitigate quantum computing in this transitional phase, and they should be implemented while we have the time to do so, not when its too late to act...

Decades later quantum computing will reach the masses, and the playing field will be level again (with quantum cryptography algorithms). But in the transition, it will not be this simple, in fact, quite asymmetric. Do you believe in those institutions that will own and operate the first ones? Its not the Americans alone, rest for sure that whatever America makes, China will get it, and Russia, Israel, at some point Europe, etc.

Yes of course they are going to use it to unscramble "evil terrorist" stuff first, or at least that will be the excuse. But in the way, "other" stuff will be revealed, without the affected parties knowing...

Scandal-drama again. What was the Watergate scandal again? No one remembers, and yet a president left office for that in the middle of the "cold" war... Will you wait for the next Snowden decades later to leak it?

Bitcoin is not in danger, but don't wait a couple of decades to address these issues...

Why do people just think about the possibility of quantum computers destroying Bitcoin ? Many people don't want to look from a different aspect to quantum computers. QCs are like a revolution on science world. They will speed up all the processes and have much more accurate results than normal computers.

When a company like Google announces something, you can bet that they are actually 10 years ahead of whatever they announce. Their system is most likely much more strong then they admit this article. However, there is such a thing as quantum resistant Bitcoin technology. it is a work-in-progress, but when it is complete, we will have protection against quantum attacks.

It's just to make a headline report for their media sites, if this quantum computer already exists that can destroy BTC, then banks should be worried more for this success of google.

Clearly, there's nothing to worry about for now. Quantum computing is making progress, but it's still baby steps we're talking about. Especially if we are talking about something complex enough to pose a threat to Bitcoin. Unfortunately, it's unclear when and whether ever it will be a serious question to discuss. The progress in any area has a point after which it slows down significantly and things, that looked easy, turn out to be close to impossible and vice versa. Not to mention that even nowadays we already have some projects of quantum-resistant cryptocurrencies, so even if the threat becomes real, it won't be the dawn of cryptocurrencies.

It makes no sense to worry about that
I will be simple, at the same time people can use quantum technology to break BTC, devs will use to protect BTC, and this is the same to passwords protection in general, technology will evolve for all, not only for hackers

Well, more like the other way around, they are probably way behind to be considered "National Security Issue". But they will get an inspection, and if its any worth, be ordered to shut up from now on. And that silent moment, is what you should fear.

Any American company can be ordered to shut up. They call those gag orders. It cannot be appealed, and defiance means prison, even warning the public. Next best they can do is close the company without telling why, which is precisely what happened to a now forgotten encrypted email provider.

Google and most certainly IBM won't close over this. IBM is already used to this game, and Google probably is by now. I bet they were just wanting to get the contract from the government first.

Nope I am not scared, I always believe if there a problems always have an solution specially in new technology and always if the bitcoin price deops can't avoid negetives side news for bitcoin including new tech.


all.
Besides, we would have far bigger problems to deal with than bitcoin.
Better worry about IT Security in general
[/qoute]



That's is true we need to always be curious the system securtity because tha is the most important thing to avoid a lot of technicality.

Just understand the size of a possible scandal if some government breaks Bitcoin using a Quantum computer. Bitcoin is owned by too powerful people, and in the case of a loss of billions of dollars, this can even lead to war. So I think that no one will dare touch Bitcoin now

New technology does not come as a threat. But rather as a solution so that in the future it can be more useful for all of us. And we as Bitcoin users know that BTC is also a new technology that we still need to learn more about.

This isn't anything scary for bitcoin, just yet, but more so the tech industry. QC means that a lot of things will be done a lot faster, and it's great that Google got this technology, instead of some black-hat hackers.

It'll take a very long time for a private key to get deciphered - give or take 8/10 years with that sort of technology, nothing really to worry about. The article you've linked above is more for FUD then to provide any actual value.

it is not "many" it is all of them. 99% of the altcoins are also using the same asymmetric cryptography as bitcoin does usually on the same curve or a different one. there are some using RSA which is even weaker. i heard about one using a quantum resistance algorithm but i never saw the coin itself (hence the 1% i left out).

one thing about breaking elliptic curves is to find a way to solve the problem faster not to increase the speed of calculation. quantum computers at best are increasing the calculation speed not the mathematical solution which is still extremely time consuming.

Why do we need to afraid with Google? They can do whatever they want because they have a resource that will help them to invented something new, and it doesn't mean to destroy bitcoin or cryptocurrency.

People invented on something that doesn't exist and their purpose to help humankind. And if that is what Google did with their project called Quantum Computer, so be it. We need to know the details, and maybe we need to wait for a while until Google can explain more about their project.

I think their project and the cryptocurrency will walk in different ways, so there is nothing to worry or afraid. But if Google wants to compete with the cryptocurrency, I don't think that will be easy because they need to create some technology which will better than blockchain technology. But we know that everything is possible and everything can happen in the future. So we shouldn't think too serious about that and see what will happen later.

I agree with previous replies that QC should be a worry first to banks and security systems in general.

There will be new research coming up in security to mitigate a QC attack. Bitcoin will not lead the way in this, it will follow what will be implemented elsewhere.

Meanwhile, quantum computers are neither big nor expensive, they are a couple of racks for cooling and the CPU itself is surprisingly small. People don't buy quantum computers now because of the space and maintenance they need: you can remote login to one and use it in the form of software-as-a service.

Now here is the trick: instead of renting a GPUs farm on nicehash or similar, why not rent a QC?

When will someone write a QCMiner? :)

I think Bitcoin will rule crypto currencies for at least about 5 years and at most about 10-15 years, and quantum computers entering actual arena are certainly more far away than that. So we shouldn't worry much.  :P

I think people should be more worried about the other non-Bitcoin security breaches that might occur, if QC could break the encryption, because most secure websites <Online Banking> use the same Algorithm and that would pose a even bigger threat to the global financial economy.  ::)

Also remember that we dealing with a piece of code here and developers already have solutions in place for scenarios like this, so you would simply have to shift those coins to a more secure address, if QC actually posed a threat to people's coins.  ;)

Quantum computers are one of the most popular topics of recent times. What they can do yet, the limits are still unclear. But for some reason, when it comes to blockchain, everyone is interested in the negative side. Well, what can these quantum computers add to mining BTC? Couldn't it be expected to move BTC mining to another dimension? Doesn't the approval in the next few seconds speed up transactions?

When something new occurs, the process of rejection always works. For Bitcoin, this process is still running. At the same time, people's fear of quantum computers is the result of a similar process.

Well, if Google has the technology then we should not assume that the government will be using it against Bitcoin. It is possible that Google can be using it against the government instead and in that case then Google can be a security threat to the country possessing such a technology that can easily fry security measures anytime. I have to admit that I don't fully understand the quantum computing technology, but I am getting interested into this. One thing for sure, the government thru a well-funded agency is also on the race to develop quantum super-computers and I think this is one area where other countries can also be involved with just like the space race. Now, having said that, it remains to be seen if what Google has can really put Bitcoin on fire...let's see what can be.

It is FUD
I have been reading interview with mathematician from my country
He told that any quantum computer already done or developed in near future will be not able to break bitcoin blockchain. Maybe  next 50 years that kind of computer with that kind of ability will be created but he is doubt
Bitcoin blockchain is super strong and secure .I don't  about different that bitcoin chain blockchains
Security is the biggest Bitcoin blockchain advantage

In Australia the quantum computing development is funded by a bank.

This means they've understood the future and acting at the present. When we talk about the quantum computer, there is no big thing to be talked. Quantum computer can do mathematical problems in three minutes of time and the same takes 10000 years with other powerful computers of the world. The only relation with bitcoin is through the private key, with this power it is possible to crack the private keys. Such a advancement can happen in next ten to fifteen years.

Another thing to break the code of bitcoin it needs 2000 qbits and what Google's quantum computer have is just 53qbits. This way there is nothing to fear on the existence of the Quantum Computer. Going through the article this is what I understood about Quantum computer which is predicted to make a crash in the market.

Maybe that will be happening soon because, with QC, the computer can break the mathematical problem with fast than the current computer. It helps them work to solve the calculation. I am sure if people are rent a QC, there will be a QC Miner release from the developer. Or they will upgrade their software to be used in QC.

The technology will grow, maybe now people don't use QC. But in the future, if QC has available in many countries, I am sure that the current computer will not too popular as now. People will move into better technology, and old technology will be history.

More people are starting to choose cryptocurrency over using traditional currency and that, of course may affect the traditional currency, one of the reasons that people patronize it is because it is decentralized and the govenrment can't touch it. Now that the government noticed that cryptocurrency could be a threat especially bitcoin, they should make a move. If the government is really into stopping people to use bitcoin, it would be easy for them to implement it if they are going to use quantum computing. Because quantum computing is very powerful, it can touch the vulnerability of bitcoin. Quantum Computing can break the encryption used by the blockchain technology, by then the security of bitcoin will be at risk.

Efforts in the private sphere are similarly increasing which found the number of investments in private quantum computing startups increasing over 200 percent in the past six years.A decade ago people said it would take 50 years to get where we are now with quantum computing. Five years ago, they said it would take 25 years to get where we are now. So quantum computing has this nasty habit of exceeding people’s expectations.

I do not think that bitcoin is in danger, it's too early to talk about it

Businesses especially those who are in trading industries and involves financial transactions as their services or for their services. There are also non-financial businesses that uses and accepts bitcoin like: Microsoft, Wikipedia, Expedia and overstock which has a reputation in the industry. The government might see it as a threat to them and to their power because of cryptocurrency's and bitcoin's decentralization. Now, there are many fuz and news that is spreadung and says that quantum computers are already here and has the ability to break the decryption that blockchain has provided. And if people believe it, there's a tendency that they might creep out and abandon crypto space, and that is if enthusiasts will believe it, but they know more than that and knows that quantum computing overthrowing the existence of bitcoin and blockchain is far to happen.

I'm not that scared of this "quantum supremacy" of Google. Based on what I already read, it needs greater amounts of qubits to be able to decrypt current encryption of the blockchain. Google's quantum computer is only ~50 qubits. In addition, if scammers got hold of this piece of technology, I'm quite sure that researchers aiming to fortify current security encryption will also use this quantum computers to further future proof current encryption and make it quantum resistant.

The number of calculations that earlier supercomputers did, google's supercomputers are capable of performing it thousands of times faster.
It definitely proposes some risk to the bitcoin and blockchain in general because the basic building blocks of this technology is cryptography. Majority of cryptographic algorithm we use would fail against such computers.
So not only is bitcoin in danger, encryption is as well!

Some researchers have started working on supercomputer-resistant encryption algorithms. One of these emerging algorithms is related to encrypting using Lattices, which has gained greater traction.

The quantum computers is not just a threat to cryptocurrency but rather to whole financial systems in the world who are online in the internet. If google will use quantum computers and if somebody will use these system to hack into our wallets and other financial documents we have then we are doomed to loss. But this is just a conspiracy theory, that if the CIA or somebody is in the bakcground that has bad intentions then we are all doomed.

But let us stay positive, I dont think google will use those quantum computers to destroy cryptocurrency or to hack into the financial systems but to cater the overwhelming users who are using google nowadays. I believe it is just to improve their system.

Recently I have spoken with an expert in IT who has some extensive knowledge in quantum technology and he told me that quantum computers are years or if not decades away from being actually implemented. Also I'm sure that the bitcoin foundation would propose an anti-quantum consensus that just needs to be approved by the miners' majority. So in conclusion I don't think there is any real threat for Bitcoin regarding the quantum technology.

Quantum computer tech is still on a early road so its there is no need to talk about Bitcoin being in danger as the tech is not completed. Lets have this conversation again in 15 years and then we can test if Quantum can hurt Bitcoin or can help Bitcoin as both scenarios can be applied. Just because Google says something doesn't mean it has to be true ...