On February 19, 2025, Microsoft unveiled a major advance in the field of quantum computer science with the launch of its first quantum processor, called Majorana 1. This new chip based on “topological supraconductors”, would make it possible to build quantum computers capable to solve complex industrial problems in a few years, rather than in decades. Fruit of almost 20 years of research, this innovation could upset not only IT technology, but also the Crypto world.
Microsoft launches a quantum chip that threatens crypto security?
The Majorana 1 chip rests on the Fermion de Majorana, a theorized subatomic particle in the 1930s. This particle has unique properties that make qubits less subject to errors. Unlike conventional bits, qubits can simultaneously represent States 0 and 1, allowing exponentially faster calculations.
Microsoft affirm Have already integrated eight qubits into this chip, with an ambition of scaling up to a million qubits on a single chip the size of one hand. Quantum computers promise to revolutionize areas such as medicine and chemistry by solving complex problems much faster than current computers.
However, this power also poses challenges, especially in terms of crypto security. Sufficient quantum computers could potentially break current crypto algorithms, threatening the safety of the Bitcoin portfolio of Satoshi Nakamoto and many users.
Solutions implemented
To prepare for these challenges, Microsoft develops crypto strategies resisting quantum attacks, as The Quantum Safe program. The purpose of the latter aims to unify and accelerate all secure quantum initiatives within the company, recognizing the potential impact of quantum IT on current crypto methods.
Solana, for her part, has set up the Winternitz Vault, an advanced solution based on hash to generate new keys to each crypto transaction. This protects against the potential attacks of quantum computers, thus strengthening the safety of its network for users.
Majorana 1 therefore marks a decisive step towards practical quantum computers. If cryptos will have to adapt to this new technological horizon, they could also take advantage of it to strengthen their resilience and their efficiency in the future.
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