QUANTUM COMPUTERS AND THEIR IMPACT ON CRYPTOECONOMICS - Gavin K Brennen

Gavin is currently serving as Professor of Physics, Macquarie University GAVIN'S TALK Quantum computers operate at the extremes of nature: the very small and very cold, where the unusual rules of quantum physics take over. Now we only have small prototype machines but a Quantum Moore's law is in place with technology and worldwide investment ramping up quickly. One of the most impactful applications of quantum computers will be attacks on public key cryptography for security purposes, profit, or otherwise. I'll explain how quantum computers work, illustrating the threat to the modern economy via attacks on cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, and also how to defend against them.