D-Wave Quantum Inc. announced that it has published a new research paper introducing a novel blockchain architecture that uses techniques from its quantum supremacy demonstration. By adding quantum to traditional blockchain computation, the new architecture could enhance blockchain security and efficiency. As part of this research, D-Wave scientists deployed the blockchain architecture across four of its cloud-based annealing quantum computers in Canada and the United States, performing distributed quantum computing for the first time.

The new research paper, "Blockchain with Proof of Quantum Work," highlights how D-Wave built and tested a "proof of quantum" algorithm that uses quantum computation to generate and validate blockchain hashes. Blockchains rely on hashing, a mathematical function that acts like a digital fingerprint. Hashing is used to encrypt transactions, and "proof of work" algorithms validate those transactions. Classical computers currently used for hashing and proof of work consume significant amounts of electricity. Each year, the power consumption of Bitcoin alone-just one application of blockchain- is estimated to be comparable to the power consumption of the entire country of Poland. D-Wave's research indicates that using quantum computation for hashing and proof of work could require a fraction of the electricity used by classical resources alone and potentially reduce electricity costs by up to a factor of 1,000.

"In an industry first, D-Wave is delivering an exciting new quantum blockchain architecture with potential for broad usage across businesses," said Dr. Alan Baratz, CEO of D-Wave. "Coming off the heels of our recent quantum supremacy demonstration, this serves as yet another example of how D-Wave is helping customers realize the value of quantum computing now. We invite the blockchain community to work with us to utilize this exciting new use case for quantum computing."

The paper introduces a new quantum-powered method to securely and efficiently create hashes by mapping mathematical functions to the complex programmable spin glasses simulated in D-Wave's recent supremacy demonstration. The proof of quantum algorithm presented in the paper is designed to incorporate hashes generated by a quantum computer, excluding classical computation from the process and adding an enhanced layer of security.

"This is the first time a blockchain has successfully operated on a distributed network of four quantum computers across two countries," said Dr. Mohammad Amin, chief scientist at D-Wave. "Despite spanning two generations of D-Wave annealing quantum computers with different architectures and fabrication stacks, the systems' outputs were able to cross-validate each other and facilitate stable blockchain operation for thousands of transaction blocks. We believe that this approach could significantly reduce energy consumption and enhance security."

Initially developed to enable cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin, blockchain technology has a diverse range of applications across supply chain management, healthcare, identity verification, and decentralized finance.

The D-Wave annealing quantum computers used in the Company's recent quantum supremacy demonstration and this new blockchain research are available for customers to use today via D-Wave's Leap real-time quantum cloud service. D-Wave plans to continue to drive the development of this capability and work with partners to bring to market products based on this new blockchain architecture.