Google has ushered in a new era of quantum technology. Using the Quantum Echoes algorithm running on the Willow chip, the company has demonstrated the world’s first verifiable quantum computation applied to a real-world physical problem. This marks a major leap toward practical applications of quantum technology in chemistry, medicine, and materials science.

The new method is not only extremely fast — 13,000 times faster than the most advanced supercomputers — but also verifiable: the results can be reproduced on another quantum computer with the same outcome.

In a statement, Google said:

“For the first time in history, a quantum computer has successfully executed a verifiable algorithm that surpasses the capabilities of classical supercomputers. Quantum verifiability means that the result can be replicated on another machine of similar capacity to confirm its accuracy.”

At the heart of the experiment is a physical effect called the Out-of-Time-Order Correlator (OTOC) — a kind of quantum “echo test” that measures how information spreads within a system of qubits, similar to sonar waves reflecting back to reveal the structure of an object. This approach enables highly precise exploration of molecular structures.

Possible Implications for Bitcoin

For the crypto industry, this is not just theoretical. Quantum computers pose a potential long-term threat to traditional encryption systems, including ECDSA signatures, which are widely used in blockchain technology.

Although practical attacks are still unrealistic, Google’s breakthrough shows that it’s time to prepare defenses.

Quantum computing expert Markus Pflitsch explained:

“For Bitcoin, the key algorithms are SHA-256 and AES, which the blockchain relies on. AES is a four-stage process that can, in part, be expressed as a system of equations solvable by quantum computers. That means AES is vulnerable.”

Because AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) is used in the generation of private keys, any compromise to it would effectively endanger the security of cryptocurrency wallets themselves.

Hedge fund manager Charles Edwards also issued a warning:

“If we don’t solve the quantum problem next year, we might face the biggest bear market in history.”

Even if a quantum-secure upgrade were introduced, a major problem would remain: existing coins would need to be transferred to quantum-safe Bitcoin addresses. For example, who would move Satoshi Nakamoto’s coins if his private keys were ever compromised? If this never happens, over one million BTC could eventually be dumped on the market once those keys are cracked.

Quantum Tech Could Also Be the Solution

However, not everything is bleak. Through Quantum Key Distribution (QKD), quantum computers can also be used to develop quantum-resistant encryption algorithms.

As Pflitsch noted:

“That’s the flip side of the quantum threat — the solution is written on the other side of the same coin.”

With the unveiling of a fully functional Willow quantum computer, Google has increased the pressure on the Bitcoin community and blockchain developers to accelerate the implementation of new, quantum-safe security standards.