The main promise of quantum computing is the ability to solve problems far faster than classical computers, but exactly how much faster varies. There are two applications where quantum algorithms appear to provide an exponential speed up, says Troyer. One is factoring large numbers, which could make it possible to break the public key encryption the internet is built on. The other is simulating quantum systems, which could have applications in chemistry and materials science." --Edd Gent

Will quantum computers shatter Bitcoin's foundations? Is the core encryption vulnerable now, in the next decade, or even in our lifetime? Separating hype from reality: What does the current state of quantum computing tell us about its ability to fulfill its promises, and its potential impact on Bitcoin's security?

Quantum Computing’s Hard, Cold Reality Check  Hype is everywhere, skeptics say, and practical applications are still far away https://spectrum.ieee.org/quantum-computing-skeptics