Author: Callum Reid, CoinTelegraph; Compiler: Deng Tong, Golden Finance

1. What is Google’s Willow quantum chip?

Google’s Willow chip marks a new era of quantum performance, enabling complex calculations that will have a major impact on a variety of industries, including cryptography.

Quantum computing has reached a major milestone with the launch of Google’s 105-qubit Willow chip, built on the company’s breakthrough Sycamore processor.

Willow Overview:

105 Qubits: Willow nearly doubles Sycamore’s qubit count, unlocking the ability to handle exponentially more complex calculations. Each qubit in Willow is designed to operate with improved coherence times, minimizing quantum noise and enhancing computational stability.

Error Correction Breakthrough: One of Willow’s most notable advances is its progress in quantum error correction, a key step toward scalable, fault-tolerant quantum systems. Researchers at Google reported that Willow achieved longer logical qubit lifetimes than physical qubits, demonstrating its potential for sustained performance.

Speed ​​and power: In benchmarks such as Random Circuit Sampling (a test in which a quantum computer demonstrates its ability to solve complex problems), Willow accomplished in minutes what it would take a conventional supercomputer billions of years to do. Completed tasks. These breakthroughs highlight the chip's ability to outperform classical systems in specific problem areas.

2. Quantum Computing and Classical Computing

The fundamental difference between quantum computing and classical computing lies in the way information is processed.

Let us understand these differences in more detail:

Classical computing: Calculations are performed sequentially using binary bits (0 and 1). Even the fastest classical supercomputers can solve problems via linear series.

Quantum Computing: Using quantum bits, qubits can exist in a superposition state (0 and 1 at the same time). When qubits become entangled, they immediately interact with each other, allowing the system to process multiple calculations in parallel.

This parallelism enables quantum computers to excel at specialized tasks such as optimization problems, molecular simulations and cryptographic testing, where classical systems would not perform well due to their linear constraints.

Real-world examples of Willow’s computing power:

Drug discovery and materials science: Willow’s ability to simulate quantum states enables researchers to study complex molecular interactions. For example, simulating protein folding, a computationally intensive task, can be performed more efficiently using quantum systems.

Climate Modeling: By solving nonlinear equations at quantum speeds, Willow can model complex environmental systems to provide information onInsights into climate change mitigation strategies.

Optimization problems: Willow’s capabilities extend to solving logistics challenges such as supply chain optimization and financial modeling, significantly reducing solution time compared to traditional approaches.

Willow’s appearance not only highlights the progress of quantum computing but also its potential to solve challenges previously thought to be insurmountable.

3. How quantum computers can theoretically crack cryptographic algorithms

Quantum computers using algorithms such as Shor and Grover have the potential to solve complex problems exponentially faster, thereby destroying traditional encryption algorithms.

The launch of powerful quantum computers like Willow has raised concerns about its impact on cryptographic security, including the impact of Willow chips on cryptocurrencies. Bitcoin and many other blockchain systems rely on cryptographic algorithms designed to be resistant to classic attacks. However, quantum computing has raised concerns about its potential impact on cryptographic security.

The Importance of Public and Private Keys in Bitcoin Security

Bitcoin’s security is built on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), specifically the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which causes Allayed people’s concerns about quantum chips and digital signatures. The relationship between public and private keys is crucial:

Public key: Shared publicly as the address for receiving Bitcoins.

Private key: kept secret and used to sign transactions, prove ownership and authorize the movement of funds.

The security premise behind ECDSA lies in the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP), which is computationally unsolvable for classical computers. Without access to a user's private key, it is nearly impossible to forge a valid signature or obtain funds.

How quantum algorithms threaten cryptography

However, quantum computers may undermine this security framework. Two key quantum algorithms highlight the risks involved:

Shor's algorithm: Cryptosystems such as ECC can be broken by quickly solving problems such as integer factorization, allowing private keys to be derived from public keys.

Grover's algorithm: Provides secondary acceleration for brute-force cracking of hash functions. In the case of Bitcoin, this would reduce the effective strength of SHA-256 (used for proof-of-work consensus) from 256 bits to 128 bits. While this is still secure by today's standards, it highlights potential vulnerabilities in other systems with weaker hash functions.

Quantum energy required to break Bitcoin

Breaking Bitcoin’s cryptographic defenses is well beyond the capabilities of today’s quantum computers, including Willow’s. According to research published in the Ledger Journal:

Logic qubits required: A minimum of 1,500-3,000 fault-tolerant logic qubits are required to run Shor's algorithm efficiently.

Physical qubits required: given current error rates, this equates to tens of millions of physical qubitsbit for error correction.

As Alan Watts emphasizes, today's systems are still in the "noisy mesoscale quantum" (NISQ) stage (American Theoretical Physics A term coined by John Preskill), whose errors and instabilities limit their practical application.

4. Bitcoin’s current defense mechanism

Bitcoin’s security relies on advanced encryption algorithms, designed to resist classic attacks and ensure strong protection of transactions and blockchain networks.

Bitcoin’s cryptographic design makes it one of the most secure decentralized systems. Its defenses rely on powerful algorithms that are computationally unbreakable using classical computing. Let’s take a look at the key safeguards and whether Google’s Willow quantum chip poses any real threat to them.

ECDSA and SHA-256: The core of Bitcoin security

As mentioned above, Bitcoin’s transaction system relies on ECDSA to generate and verify digital signatures. Additionally, Bitcoin’s PoW consensus mechanism uses SHA-256, a cryptographic hash function, to secure the blockchain:

Miners solve computational challenges involving SHA-256 to add to the blockchain New block.

Hash functions are designed to be irreversible, meaning that it is computationally infeasible to reverse engineer the input data from its hash output.

Is Willow a threat to Bitcoin?

Although Google’s Willow quantum chip marks a major milestone in quantum computing with its 105 qubits, it currently does not pose a direct threat to Bitcoin’s cryptographic system. Cracking Bitcoin's ECDSA or SHA-256 would require at least 1,500-3,000 fault-tolerant logic qubits, well beyond Willow's capabilities. As mentioned earlier, current quantum systems are not scalable enough to challenge Bitcoin’s powerful defenses.

Bitcoin’s layered cryptographic structure combines ECDSA and SHA-256 to ensure resilience against today’s quantum technologies. You can consider Willow in the NISQ phase, where errors and instability limit their practical application. This technological gap currently keeps Bitcoin’s cryptographic protections secure.

5. Responses from the encryption community and cryptographers to whether Willow threatens Bitcoin security

Recognizing the ultimate threat posed by quantum computing, the cryptocurrency industry has actively begun to research and develop quantum-resistant cryptographic systems.

Ongoing efforts in post-quantum cryptography

The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has been leading efforts to standardize post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms. These algorithms are designed to protect against both classical and quantum attacks. Final candidate algorithms include:

Lattice-based cryptography: like CRYSTALS-DAlgorithms like ilithium and Kyber rely on lattice structures that are secure against quantum attacks.

Hash-based signatures: These signatures use cryptographic hashes and are more resistant to quantum algorithms such as Shor or Grover.

Once finalized, these standards can be integrated into Bitcoin and other blockchain systems to ensure their security.

Vitalik Buterin’s advice on Ethereum security

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has been outspoken about being prepared for quantum risks. Key recommendations include:

Lamport signature: a quantum-resistant one-time signature scheme that is easy to implement but requires larger storage space.

Transitional flexibility: Ethereum’s modular structure allows it to adopt new cryptographic standards faster than Bitcoin. For example, Ethereum could integrate post-quantum algorithms by updating its consensus mechanism.

Buterin’s proactive approach provides a blueprint for other blockchain projects.

Wider industry research

Outstanding cryptographers and researchers are contributing to the development of quantum-resistant technologies:

Adam Back: Pioneer of blockchain cryptography, Back The importance of integrating PQC (post-quantum cryptography) into the Bitcoin protocol without compromising its decentralized nature was emphasized.

Bill Buchanan: His work on lattice-based cryptography and security systems provides powerful solutions against quantum attacks.

Many blockchain projects are also exploring hybrid models that combine existing cryptography with quantum-resistant algorithms to ensure a smooth transition when quantum computers become practical.

6. What is the key: the potential impact of quantum breakthroughs

Quantum breakthroughs may affect blockchain security, bringing risks of wallet damage and market instability, while promoting the advancement of cryptographic defenses.

The rise of quantum computing brings quantum computing risks and opportunities to Bitcoin and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem. Understanding these impacts is critical for stakeholders.

Potential Risks

Wallet Compromise:

A fully scalable, fault-tolerant quantum computer could derive the private key from the public key, allowing unauthorized access to the wallet.

If this happens, funds could be stolen, undermining trust in Bitcoin's security.

Network Instability:

Fear of quantum vulnerabilities could cause market panic, impacting Bitcoin’s price and adoption.

Historically, even perceived technical risks, such as forks or protocol bugs, can lead to large swings in the price of Bitcoin.

Delayed consensus:

If a quantum attack breaks Bitcoin’s PoW mechanism, it could lead to slower transaction verification or a network split.

Positive developments

Despite the high stakes, the crypto industry’s positive stance and advances in crypto defenses offer a positive outlook:

The timeline favors crypto: Experts generally agree that Cryptographically relevant quantum computers are at least 10-20 years away, giving the crypto community ample time to transition to quantum-resistant standards.

Progress in cryptography: Post-quantum algorithms are not static, but are developing rapidly. Researchers believe the pace of cryptographic innovation will outpace quantum advances.

Strengthening security posture: Integrating PQC into blockchain systems can make them more secure against quantum and classical threats, address quantum threats to Bitcoin security and increase trust in decentralized finance.

Market Stability and Opportunities

Transition Planning: Projects that transparently outline their quantum transition strategies are likely to attract greater investor confidence.

Innovation Catalyst: Quantum breakthroughs can promote blockchain innovation, such as quantum-safe wallets and decentralized systems optimized for post-quantum environments, and address the impact of quantum chips on the blockchain.

Finally, since crypto-relevant quantum computers are still years away, the crypto industry has time to adapt, ensuring a stronger and more secure decentralized future.