quantum computing

Science removes concern from Microsoft quantum paper

The journal Science will replace an editorial expression of concern (EEoC) on a 2020 Microsoft quantum computing paper with a correction. The update notes incomplete explanations of device tuning and partial data disclosure, but no misconduct.

Co-author Charles Marcus welcomed the decision but lamented the four-year dispute.

Sergey Frolov, who raised concerns about data selection, disagrees with the correction and believes the paper should be retracted. The debate centres on Microsoft’s claims about topological superconductors using Majorana particles, a critical step for quantum computing.

Several Microsoft-backed papers on Majoranas have faced scrutiny, including retractions. Critics accuse Microsoft of cherry-picking data, while supporters stress the research’s complexity and pioneering nature.

The controversy reveals challenges in peer review and verifying claims in a competitive field.

Microsoft defends the integrity of its research and values open scientific debate. Critics warn that selective reporting risks misleading the community. The dispute highlights the difficulty of confirming breakthrough quantum computing claims in an emerging industry.

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Largest Bitcoin transactions in history spark quantum security talk

Eight long-dormant Bitcoin wallets from the early days of the network moved a combined 80,000 BTC in early July 2025. Each wallet sent roughly 10,000 BTC to new SegWit addresses, which offer enhanced security against future quantum computing threats.

These transfers mark the most significant single Bitcoin transactions ever recorded, attracting intense speculation across the crypto community.

Shortly after the transfer, around 28,600 BTC were sent to Galaxy Digital, with about 9,000 BTC sold, likely contributing to a 5% price drop from Bitcoin’s recent all-time high of $123,000.

Experts believe the security upgrade was a precaution against quantum computing risks, threatening Bitcoin’s cryptographic foundations in the coming decades. Developers are working on proposals to protect vulnerable wallets and strengthen network security.

Blockchain analysis shows all eight wallets belong to one entity, with some suspecting Roger Ver, aka ‘Bitcoin Jesus,’ because of his early role and recent legal troubles. Around that time, OP_RETURN messages appeared on the blockchain, possibly a spam campaign pressuring the wallet owner to prove control.

While no evidence of hacking has emerged, these events have heightened attention on dormant Bitcoin holdings and quantum security.

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Denmark launches quantum initiative with world‑leading computer

Positioning itself at the forefront of quantum innovation, Denmark has made a €80 million commitment led by the Novo Nordisk Foundation and EIFO.

The Quantum initiative, operating under the new entity QuNorth, aims to deploy a system named Magne, expected to deliver unprecedented computational power when it becomes operational in late 2026 or early 2027.

Magne will boast approximately 50 logical qubits, enabling tasks beyond the reach of classical computers. Built by Atom Computing and powered by Microsoft’s quantum stack, it marks one of the first Level 2 quantum systems with integrated error correction.

The ambition is to eventually scale to hundreds or even a thousand logical qubits, entering a realm of applications that include transformative chemistry modelling, accelerated drug discovery and optimised logistics.

Boasting full Danish ownership, Magne is based in Copenhagen, and QuNorth will facilitate access for Nordic businesses and researchers.

Stakeholders see this as a vital step in stimulating Europe’s quantum ecosystem and boosting national competitiveness amid global tech rivalries with the US and China.

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Quantum sector surges as Rigetti unveils modular machine

Quantum computing is progressing faster than expected, with Rigetti Computing achieving a major breakthrough. The company reached 99.5% median 2-qubit gate fidelity using a modular 36-qubit system—halving its error rate and moving closer to fault-tolerant computing.

The new machine, built from four 9-qubit chiplets, represents the industry’s largest multichip quantum system. Its modular design addresses the scalability challenges of single-chip models.

Rigetti’s superconducting qubits also outperform rivals by operating at significantly faster speeds.

Plans are in place to launch a 100+-qubit system before the end of 2025. Backing from DARPA, the US Air Force, and the UK government further validates Rigetti’s approach. Partnerships with Nvidia and Quanta Computer add commercial strength.

Despite modest revenue, Rigetti holds $575 million in cash with no debt and owns the sector’s first dedicated quantum chip factory. True commercial quantum advantage is expected between 2026 and 2028.

Shares of Rigetti, along with other quantum computing firms like IonQ and D-Wave, have surged in recent months, outperforming the broader market.

Rigetti offers strong potential—but remains a high-risk pick in a competitive field.

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Europe’s quantum ambitions meet US private power and China’s state drive

Quantum computing could fundamentally reshape technology, using quantum bits (qubits) instead of classical bits. Qubits allow complex calculations beyond classical computing, transforming sectors from pharmaceuticals to defence.

Europe is investing billions in quantum technology, emphasising technological sovereignty. Yet, it competes fiercely with the United States, which enjoys substantial private investment, and China, powered by significant state-backed funding.

The UK began quantum initiatives early, launching the National Quantum Programme 2014. It recently pledged £2.5 billion more, supporting start-ups like Orca Computing and Universal Quantum, alongside nations like Canada, Israel, and Japan.

Europe accounted for eight of the nineteen quantum start-ups established globally in 2024, including IQM Quantum Computers and Pasqal. Despite Europe’s scientific strengths, it only captured 5% of global quantum investments, versus 50% for the US.

The European Commission aims to strengthen quantum capabilities by funding six chip factories and a continent-wide Quantum Skills Academy. However, attracting sufficient private investment remains a significant challenge.

The US quantum industry thrives, driven by giants such as IBM, Google, Microsoft, IonQ, Rigetti, and D-Wave Quantum. Recent breakthroughs include Microsoft’s topological qubit and Google’s Willow quantum chip.

D-Wave Quantum has demonstrated real-world quantum advantages, solving complex optimisation problems in minutes. Its technology is now used commercially in logistics, traffic management, and supply chains.

China, meanwhile, leads in state-driven quantum funding, investing $15 billion directly and managing a $138 billion tech venture fund. By contrast, US federal investment totals about $6 billion, underscoring China’s aggressive approach.

Global investment in quantum start-ups reached $1.25 billion in Q1 2025 alone, reflecting a shift towards practical applications. By 2040, the quantum market is projected to reach $173 billion, influencing global economics and geopolitics.

Quantum computing raises geopolitical concerns, prompting democratic nations to coordinate through bodies like the OECD and G7. Interoperability, trust, and secure infrastructure have become essential strategic considerations.

Europe’s quantum ambitions require sustained investment, standard-setting leadership, and robust supply chains. Its long-term technological independence hinges on moving swiftly beyond initial funding towards genuine strategic autonomy.

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Scalable quantum light factory chip unveiled

A milestone in quantum technology was achieved with the world’s first silicon chip that integrates quantum light sources and stabilising control electronics, fabricated using a standard commercial 45 nm semiconductor process. The compact chip, roughly 1 mm square, generates correlated photon pairs, key for secure communication, sensing, and computing, while built-in feedback circuits maintain performance under variable conditions.

Engineers from Northwestern University, Boston University and UC Berkeley collaborated to embed microring resonators, photodiodes, on-chip heaters and control logic, packaging them into a single, scalable system. The result is the first demonstration of a “quantum light factory” chip produced in mass-production foundries, bypassing bulky lab setups and paving the path for widespread deployment.

Researchers believe this advancement marks a crucial step forward. The ability to manufacture quantum photonic systems at scale could lead to secure quantum networks, advanced sensing platforms, and eventually photonic quantum computers. By proving the integration of quantum and classical electronics on shared silicon technologies is possible, the team has opened a new frontier in quantum engineering.

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First single-photon universal quantum system due 2026

Dutch startup QuiX Quantum has raised €15 million in Series A funding to deliver the world’s first single-photon‑based universal photonic quantum computer by 2026. This ambitious project was backed by Invest‑NL, the European Innovation Council, PhotonVentures, Oost NL and Forward One.

Since its 2019 founding, QuiX Quantum has set benchmarks with 8‑qubit and 64‑qubit photonic processors, including a notable delivery to the German Aerospace Center in 2022. Its next objective is a universal gate‑set system with fast feed‑forward electronics and single‑photon sources, essential components for fault‑tolerant, large‑scale quantum computing.

The investment will also bolster Europe’s quantum photonics supply chain. QuiX Quantum plans to deploy its systems in practical fields such as chemical simulation, pharmaceutical discovery, fraud detection and precision manufacturing, marking a key step toward commercialising quantum technology.

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Europe builds quantum computers with glass and light

European researchers are building quantum computers using glass chips and photons instead of traditional silicon and electricity.

Led by the Italian Polytechnic University of Milan, the project is harnessing the power of light to deliver faster computing and solve real-world challenges.

These chips avoid energy loss by guiding photons through transparent glass, an approach designed to boost precision and reliability in quantum operations.

The collaborative effort includes specialists in photon detection, electronics, and quantum software, all working towards a functioning photonic quantum machine by 2026.

One of its first goals is to help design better lithium-ion batteries, which is vital for Europe’s shift to renewable energy and electric transport.

Europe’s broader ambition is to deploy a quantum-accelerated supercomputer by 2025 and grow a local quantum chip industry by 2030. While talent and innovation are strong, the project highlights a pressing need for greater private investment and commercial scale to match global rivals.

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Oxford physicists set new qubit accuracy record

Physicists at the University of Oxford have achieved a ground‑breaking error rate in quantum logic operations, reducing it to just 0.000015 percent, one mistake in 6.7 million operations. The result marks nearly a ten‑fold improvement over their previous record set in 2014.

The team used a trapped calcium ion qubit controlled by microwave signals instead of lasers to achieve high stability at room temperature and eliminate the need for magnetic shielding. However, this method offers cheaper, more robust control that fits with ion‑trap chip technology.

Reducing the error rate helps shrink the infrastructure needed for error correction, meaning future quantum computers could be smaller, faster and more efficient. They still lag, with around one in 2,000 error rates, highlighting further challenges for full‑scale quantum systems.

The findings, published in Physical Review Letters, bring practical quantum computing a significant step closer. The Oxford researchers involved include Professor David Lucas, Molly Smith, Aaron Leu and Dr Mario Gely.

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Quantum computing threatens Bitcoin: Experts debate timeline

Recent breakthroughs in quantum computing have revived fears about the long-term security of Bitcoin (BTC).

With IBM aiming to release the first fault-tolerant quantum computer, the IBM Quantum Starling, by 2029, experts are increasingly concerned that such advancements could undermine Bitcoin’s cryptographic backbone.

Bitcoin currently relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) and the SHA-256 hashing algorithm to secure wallets and transactions. However, both are potentially vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm, which a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could exploit.

Google quantum researcher Craig Gidney warned in May 2025 that quantum resources required to break RSA encryption had been significantly overestimated. Although Bitcoin uses ECC, not RSA, Gidney’s research hinted at a threat window between 2030 and 2035 for crypto systems.

Opinions on the timeline vary. Adam Back, Blockstream CEO and early Bitcoin advocate, believes a quantum threat is still at least two decades away. However, he admitted that future progress could force users to migrate coins to quantum-safe wallets—potentially even Satoshi Nakamoto’s dormant holdings.

Others are more alarmed. David Carvalho, CEO of Naoris Protocol, claimed in a June 2025 op-ed that Bitcoin could be cracked within five years, pointing to emerging technologies like Microsoft’s Majorana chip. He estimated that nearly 30% of BTC is stored in quantum-vulnerable addresses.

‘Just one breach could destroy trust in the entire ecosystem,’ Carvalho warned, noting that BlackRock has already acknowledged the quantum risk in its Bitcoin ETF filings.

Echoing this urgency, billionaire investor Chamath Palihapitiya said in late 2024 that SHA-256 could be broken within two to five years if companies scale quantum chips like Google’s 105-qubit Willow. He urged the crypto industry to start updating encryption protocols before it’s too late.

While truly fault-tolerant quantum machines capable of breaking Bitcoin are not yet available, the accelerating pace of research suggests that preparing for a quantum future is no longer optional—it’s a necessity.

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