Scientists have put forward a groundbreaking proposal to integrate quantum computing into blockchain technology, potentially revolutionizing the consensus mechanism used in cryptocurrencies. A collaborative team of researchers from Australian and American universities, in partnership with quantum technology company BTQ, has published a preprint research paper introducing a novel proof-of-work (PoW) scheme called “Proof-of-work consensus by quantum sampling.” The scheme utilizes quantum computing techniques, specifically the boson sampling process, to validate blockchain consensus.
The researchers highlight the inefficiency of current PoW algorithms, citing their slow speed and extensive computational requirements. In contrast, their proposed boson sampling-based PoW scheme offers significant energy savings and enhanced speed when implemented on quantum hardware. By leveraging quantum advantage, the scheme increases mining difficulty, ensuring consistent block mining time as the number of miners grows. This approach incentivizes the continued participation of “quantum miners” and potentially lowers the environmental impact of mining on blockchain networks like Bitcoin.
Although boson sampling has been employed in various quantum computing applications, its application to blockchain represents a novel use case. Unlike universal quantum computing solutions, boson sampling is task-specific and limited to certain domains such as chemistry. However, the researchers contend that it could effectively future-proof blockchain applications and outperform traditional supercomputers in validating consensus. Unlike classical systems, quantum computers excel in solving “progress-free” problems like those encountered in blockchain mining, where precomputing offers no advantage.
While the development and maintenance of quantum hardware pose challenges, the integration of quantum computing into blockchain technology could offer more efficient consensus validation. This proposed PoW scheme introduces a paradigm shift by harnessing the power of quantum computing, potentially transforming the landscape of blockchain and addressing concerns about energy consumption. Further exploration and development of quantum proof-of-work consensus may unlock new possibilities for secure and sustainable blockchain systems.
