Google’s Willow quantum chip posts benchmark gain, while practical machines remain years away

Google’s Willow quantum chip posts benchmark gain, while practical machines remain years away

N
News Editor
2026-08-22 19:18:40
Google released its 105-qubit Willow quantum chip in December 2024, according to Techub News, reporting that the processor completed a random circuit sampling benchmark in five minutes. The same task would take Frontier, a traditional supercomputer, 10^25 years to finish. The report also said Willow made progress in quantum error correction, becoming the first to keep logical error rates below threshold at both surface code distances 5 and 7. In February 2025, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said practical quantum computers were still five to 10 years away. The development carries potential implications for crypto because a mature fault-tolerant quantum computer could theoretically break current cryptographic systems such as RSA and elliptic curve encryption. The report added that Willow does not currently have that capability.

Google released its Willow quantum chip in December 2024, Techub News reported. The 105-qubit processor completed a random circuit sampling benchmark in five minutes, while Frontier, a conventional supercomputer, would need 10^25 years to finish the same task.

Benchmark result and error-correction progress

The report said Willow also marked a breakthrough in quantum error correction. It was the first time logical error rates were kept below threshold at both surface code distances 5 and 7.

Google’s timeline for practical use

In February 2025, Google CEO Sundar Pichai said practical quantum computers were still five to 10 years away.

Potential relevance to crypto

The report said the advance could carry implications for the cryptocurrency sector. In theory, a mature fault-tolerant quantum computer could break current cryptographic schemes including RSA and elliptic curve encryption, though Willow does not currently have that ability.

This article was originally published by Bit.Fan. For more cryptocurrency news and market insights, visit www.bit.fan.
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