JPMorgan unveils quantum-key-distribution solution to shield blockchain from quantum attacks

The financial conglomerate JPMorgan, together with Toshiba and the telecommunications company Ciena разработали a prototype solution to protect critical nodes of blockchain infrastructure from quantum computing.

This is the technology квантового распределения ключей (Quantum Key Distribution, QKD). This is a method of key distribution that uses quantum phenomena to guarantee secure communication.

According to a press release, the solution developed by the parties is resistant to attacks by quantum computers and can deliver data transfer speeds of up to 800 Gbit/s. The QKD network, deployed as an optical channel, was rolled out atop the corporate blockchain Liink.

“This work comes at a pivotal moment as we continue to prepare for the deployment of industrial-grade quantum computers, which in the near term will alter the security landscape of technologies such as blockchain and cryptocurrencies,” said Dr. Marco Pistoya, head of JPMorgan’s research group.

The parties contend that, at present, QKD is the only solution that, as mathematically proven, can defend against potential attacks based on quantum computing.

Earlier, researchers at the University of Sussex (UK) noted that quantum computers должны стать примерно в миллион раз мощнее would have to be roughly a million times more powerful to crack the Bitcoin blockchain.