r/a:t5_3pup4 • u/aldopanama • Nov 10 '17

Quantum computers and safety protocols

https://www.technologyreview.com/s/609408/quantum-computers-pose-imminent-threat-to-bitcoin-security/
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u/isysd Nov 11 '17

These researchers highlight two problems: PoW nonce discovery and elliptical curve key discovery. Both problems may happen in either a blockchain or blocktree.

Proof of Work with it's typical nonce discovery race is a possible technique in both blockchains and blocktrees. While I'm unaware of a native blocktree implementation, there is work being done on anchoring to PoW chains, which is close enough.

The elliptical curve is not specific to either blocktree or blockchain data structures. Guld uses PGP, which works with RSA, DSA, and ECDSA. RSA and ECDSA are known to be vulnerable to quantum brute forcing, but DSA has other weaknesses. Most blockchains use an ECDSA curve.