According to ChainCatcher, Professor Massimiliano Sala of the University of Trento in Italy recently discussed the future of blockchain with the Ripple team, especially the potential threat of quantum computing to encryption technology. Professor Sala emphasized that the maturity of quantum computer technology may pose a serious threat to existing encryption methods, thereby bringing risks to the entire blockchain technology system. He pointed out that quantum computers will be able to easily solve the basic problems of digital signatures and undermine the protection mechanism of user assets on blockchain platforms. He proposed the concept of "Q Day", that is, the moment when quantum computers become powerful enough and easy to obtain that malicious actors can crack traditional encryption methods.
While this would have far-reaching implications for any sector where data security is important, including emergency services, infrastructure, banking and defence, it could theoretically destroy the world of cryptocurrency and blockchain. Sala suggests that to counter this potential risk, all traditional public key cryptography systems should be replaced with quantum-resistant counterparts. Although there are no practical quantum computers capable of performing such operations yet, governments and research institutions around the world are already preparing for the arrival of Q-Day. Professor Sala expressed satisfaction with the progress made in the field of quantum computing and recommended that blockchain developers work closely with cryptography experts who understand the standards and innovations for quantum protection of modern systems to face this challenge together.
