Google's Willow chip cuts quantum errors 40-fold and raises the stakes for encryption

Experts see a future risk to the public-key cryptography used by Bitcoin and Ethereum after Google unveiled its Willow chip. The processor reduced errors by a factor of 40 in the scarce magic states that quantum computers consume to operate.

Magic states are essential resources for error correction. Breaking this bottleneck brings quantum computing closer to practical applications and shortens the path to smaller, useful machines. No machine yet can break today’s keys.

The technical progress, however, accelerates the timetable for the transition to post-quantum algorithms. The industry must anticipate quantum-resistant standards. Projects that ignore the risk will be exposed in the medium term, and Brazilian investors should follow how protocols adapt.