A review recently published by BTQ researchers, a startup working to build a blockchain technology that can withstand the attacks by quantum computers, has offered an alternative to the evidence of work proof (POW) involving quantum technology.
Proof of work is a blockchain consensus mechanism that secures the Bitcoin network. Participants bring together large amounts of mathematical problems to validate transactions. Some have criticized the process as too much energy intensity, while others have argued the opposite.
Quantum IT implies moving away from a process depending on the binary code, those and zeros, which open and close the transistor doors. The quantum bits (qubits) exist in several states simultaneously, considerably increasing the computing power to the point where modern encryption built by conventional computers – depends on transistors and binary code – is threatened.
In his article, BTQ researchers offer a quantum alternative called sampling of coarse grain bosons (CGB). This method uses light particles (bosons) to generate unique models – samples – which reflect the current state of blockchain instead of mathematical puzzles based on hash.
The random sampling of these models would create encryption, in the same way that random numbers form the backbone of encryption made by conventional computers.
The sampling of the boson was initially created to demonstrate something called quantum supremacy, a test that determines when a mathematical equation is too complex for a conventional computer.
These samples are grouped into categories, called bins, which facilitate the validation of results and confirm the work of the minor.
This approach replaces traditional POW cryptographic puzzles with quantum sampling tasks, considerably reducing energy consumption while ensuring that the network remains secure and decentralized.
Although BTQ’s proposal is theoretically interesting, obtaining it would require a hard fork of the Bitcoin network with minors and nodes replacing their existing ASIC equipment (computers only designed for the POW consensus mechanism) with an infrastructure ready for Quantum.
It would certainly be a Herculean effort and could lead to a fork as seen with wars in the size of past years.
Read more: The blocking wars are revisited: how Bitcoin’s civil war still resonates today
