Google plans to commercialize quantum computing by 2029, and the value of Bitcoin will be zero?
Author | Sina Finance
Source | Wall Street Experience
Why does quantum computing pose a threat to Bitcoin?
Before explaining this problem, we need to know the following knowledge points.
Classic computers use binary, and everything in the underlying code is built with 0 and 1 Quantum computers can store and represent the superposition states of 0 and 1 at the same time. Bitcoin mining is based on calculating the correct value of a hash function called SHA-256 (a function algorithm, any string input into SHA-256 function will output a 256-bit binary number). When each bitcoin user registers, the system will generate a random number, and then SHA256 and hash 160 will be performed on this random number to generate a character string called the private key. As a digital signature. The private key can encrypt a string of characters. A public key can encrypt and decrypt data encrypted by a private key. This encryption method using different keys for encryption and decryption is called asymmetric encryption. The private key cannot be calculated with the public key. If the private key is lost, the owner's bitcoin cannot be taken out.
For the above reasons, because the correct value of SHA-256 is very difficult to calculate, a limited number of bitcoins will become extremely scarce and precious. At the same time, because the classical computer can't calculate the private key through the public key, the private bitcoin can't be obtained by others.
But in 1994, mathematician Peter Shor published a quantum algorithm, which can break the security assumption of the most common asymmetric cryptographic algorithm. This means that anyone with a large enough quantum computer can use this algorithm to calculate the private key from the public key, thus forging any digital signature.
Therefore, in the face of quantum computing, the mining of bitcoin will become easy, and the private key can also be calculated through the public key. This makes Bitcoin no longer scarce and no longer safe.
At the same time, it also means that the knowledge of Bitcoin will collapse and the value of Bitcoin will be zero.
Quantum mechanics, wave-particle duality of light, observer effect and a famous thought experiment-Schrodinger's cat are also well known.
The quantum world is so unreasonable that Einstein, who "God can't roll dice", was once confused.
In any case, the emergence of quantum computers poses a great challenge to classical computers. With the development of quantum computing research, it may be possible to crack Bitcoin before 2029.
What is Google's quantum computing process?
As early as 20 19, Google published a paper in Nature magazine, saying that its 54-bit superconducting quantum chip "Sycamore" with 53 qubits available only takes 200 seconds to sample a circuit with a depth of 53 bits and 20, while the most powerful classic supercomputer Summit takes 1 10,000 years to get similar results. Based on this breakthrough, Google claims to have achieved "quantum hegemony".
Recently, at the Google I/O conference, Hartmut Neven, a scientist who leads Google's quantum AI team, said that Google plans to build a multi-billion dollar quantum computer and put it into commercial use before 2029.
Google's goal is to build a computer with 65.438 billion qubits. However, Google also said that it is necessary to reduce the errors caused by qubits before considering building 1000 qubits together into a logical qubit. This will lay the foundation for "quantum transistor", which is the foundation of future quantum computers. At present, Google's quantum computer has less than 100 qubits. However, we must know that the Internet was born only 52 years ago, and the first general-purpose computer was born only 75 years ago.
Google is currently expanding a new campus in California, focusing on research in quantum computing. The expansion project will be officially completed by the end of 2020.
In addition to Google, there are a large number of companies that invest in quantum computing, such as IBM, D-Wave Systems and Honeywell.
Dario Gil, the research director of IBM, once said that 2023 will be a turning point in the large-scale use of quantum computing. At that time, the state of quantum computing will be viewed and updated in real time through software, rather than through previous hardware adjustments.
Chirag Dekate, vice president of Gartner, said that in the past five years, the innovation speed of quantum computing has exceeded the previous 30 years. He also predicted that by 2025, nearly 40% of large companies will make quantum computing plans.
At present, there have been some researches on quantum cryptography for quantum computing. An open source project named Open Quantum Safe (OQS) was launched on 20 16, with the goal of developing anti-quantum cryptography.