# Will the release of the first quantum chip have an impact on cryptocurrency?
On February 19, local time, the world's first topological quantum chip Majorana 1 was released. The chip was developed by Microsoft for nearly 20 years and is expected to be available before 2030. Microsoft's goal is to achieve coherent manipulation of millions of quantum bits on quantum chips in the future.
If quantum bits can be as stable as classical binary bits, quantum computing may indeed have a profound impact on the calculation method of cryptocurrency, but the specific application scenarios and challenges need to be analyzed from multiple angles:
1. The threat of quantum computing to cryptocurrency encryption systems
Current cryptocurrencies (such as Bitcoin) mainly rely on asymmetric encryption algorithms (such as RSA and elliptic curve encryption). The security of these algorithms is based on the fact that traditional computers cannot quickly decompose large prime numbers or solve discrete logarithm problems.
dan The most advanced quantum chips (such as Google Willow chip) currently have only about 100 physical quantum bits, which is still a huge gap from the millions of quantum bits required to crack RSA.
Experts predict that even if the problem of quantum bit stability is solved, it will still take at least 10 years to crack mainstream encryption algorithms. Google and other companies believe that the coexistence period of quantum computing and encryption systems may last for decades, leaving a time window for the transition to quantum-resistant encryption.
2. Potential applications of quantum computing in cryptocurrency
1. Accelerating blockchain quantum computing can efficiently solve complex optimization problems (such as transaction path selection and smart contract execution) and improve the efficiency of blockchain networks. For example, the Grover algorithm can accelerate data search and optimize the query speed of blockchain ledgers.
2. Integration of quantum-safe encryption: Post-quantum cryptography (PQC) is developing. For example, NIST has introduced quantum-resistant algorithm standards based on lattice cryptography and hash functions. In the future, cryptocurrencies may adopt these algorithms, making it impossible for quantum computers to crack new encryption systems even if they are stable.
3. Quantum random number generation: The randomness of quantum bits can be used to generate more secure keys and enhance the security of wallet addresses and transaction signatures.