For anyone closely watching the intersection of quantum technology and blockchain, the recent collaboration between BTQ Technologies Corp. (CBOE CA: BTQ) and Quandela SAS is a development worth attention. The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to jointly explore how photonic quantum computing can reshape blockchain validation, with a focus on BTQ’s Quantum Sampling Proof-of-Work (QSPoW) protocol.
The world’s most prominent digital asset, Bitcoin, relies on Proof-of-Work (PoW) systems to validate transactions and secure its network. These systems, while robust, are notorious for their massive energy consumption and potential vulnerability to quantum computing threats. As quantum computers advance, their ability to break traditional cryptographic algorithms used in blockchain networks could become a reality, putting the security of digital assets at risk.
BTQ’s QSPoW protocol is designed to address both concerns: it aims to drastically reduce energy usage and introduce quantum-resistant security into blockchain validation. Instead of using the power-hungry computational puzzles of traditional PoW, QSPoW leverages boson sampling, a quantum process where photons travel through an optical network to produce unpredictable results. These results are easy for a quantum computer to verify but extremely difficult for classical computers to compute, making the protocol resistant to attacks from both traditional and quantum adversaries.
Under the MOU, BTQ and Quandela will work together to test the QSPoW protocol using both simulated and real boson-sampling data from Quandela’s Perceval cloud platform. The goal is to analyze how this quantum data performs in a blockchain environment and to identify ways to further reduce errors and optimize performance. If the results meet certain benchmarks, the companies will explore commercialization opportunities, including the potential integration of Quandela’s Belenos quantum processor into future blockchain systems.
Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO of BTQ Technologies, emphasized the significance of this partnership: “This MOU reflects our shared ambition to advance real-world applications for quantum hardware and software. We’re excited to work with Quandela to rigorously test our QSPoW protocol and set the foundation for a new generation of blockchain security.”
Niccolo Somaschi, CEO of Quandela, added: “Partnering with BTQ highlights the versatility and promise of our photonic quantum platform. This collaboration is a great opportunity to demonstrate how quantum technologies can be used for emerging cryptographic protocols.”
The urgency of this work is underscored by recent developments in the financial sector. BlackRock, in its S-1 filing for its Bitcoin Trust ETF, explicitly acknowledged the risks posed by quantum computing to the security of digital assets. The company noted that while efforts are underway to adopt quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms, there is no guarantee that these changes will be implemented in time or that the Bitcoin network will reach the necessary consensus to adopt them.
This uncertainty highlights the importance of proactive solutions like QSPoW, which could provide a path to quantum-safe blockchain validation without requiring immediate, sweeping changes to existing networks.
The collaboration between BTQ and Quandela is structured as a framework for ongoing cooperation, information sharing, and public updates on scientific or commercial milestones. The companies will share technical insights and jointly assess the feasibility of integrating Quandela’s quantum hardware into BTQ’s protocol.
If successful, this partnership could pave the way for a new era of blockchain security, one that is both energy-efficient and resistant to the most advanced computational threats. The progress of this collaboration will be a key indicator of how quickly quantum technologies can be harnessed to protect and enhance the world’s most valuable digital assets.
BTQ was founded by a team of post-quantum cryptographers and is focused on developing software and hardware solutions to safeguard critical networks from the threats posed by large-scale quantum computers. The company collaborates with leading research institutes and universities to advance its mission.
Quandela SAS founded in 2017 and is a leader in full-stack photonic quantum computing, developing and commercializing quantum computers and software solutions for a range of industries, including energy, cybersecurity, and finance. The Company’s mission is to deliver the first useful quantum computer to drive the quantum transformation in industry and society.
