- Ethereum Foundation prioritizes post-quantum security with dedicated PQ team formation.
- Ethereum launches $2M initiative to strengthen post-quantum cryptography tools.
- Coinbase establishes advisory board to assess quantum risks in crypto.
The Ethereum Foundation has announced a significant step forward in the fight against quantum computing threats. According to researcher Justin Drake, the foundation has made post-quantum security a central focus of its long-term plans, establishing a dedicated Post Quantum (PQ) team. This initiative is poised to prepare Ethereum for the future challenges posed by quantum computing, which could potentially compromise the security of blockchain networks.
Thomas Coratger, a cryptographic engineer, has been appointed to lead the new PQ team. The team will receive support from Emile, a cryptographer associated with leanVM. The leanVM, a minimalist zero-knowledge proof virtual machine, is expected to play a vital role in Ethereum’s strategy for adapting to quantum security challenges. As Drake highlighted in a recent post, Ethereum’s management has officially acknowledged the critical importance of post-quantum security, and timelines for related developments are accelerating.
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Ethereum’s Plan to Prepare for Quantum Risks
In addition to forming the PQ team, the Ethereum Foundation is taking significant steps to equip the ecosystem for post-quantum security. A biweekly developer session focused on post-quantum transactions is set to begin, led by Ethereum researcher Antonio Sanso. These sessions will target key areas like cryptographic protections, account abstraction pathways, and the integration of leanVM for transaction signature aggregation. The sessions will work towards ensuring that Ethereum’s protocol is resistant to the potential vulnerabilities that quantum computing could introduce.
Further efforts are being backed by significant financial support. Drake revealed that the Ethereum Foundation has launched two major initiatives: the $1 million Poseidon Prize and the $1 million Proximity Prize. Both are aimed at advancing post-quantum cryptography, with the Poseidon Prize focusing on strengthening the Poseidon hash function. The foundation’s commitment to securing Ethereum against quantum computing is clear, with multi-client post-quantum consensus development networks already in operation. These networks are being tested through regular interoperability calls between teams working on the project.
A Growing Concern Across Crypto Markets
The Ethereum Foundation’s emphasis on quantum security is not occurring in isolation. The broader crypto community is becoming increasingly aware of the risks that quantum computing poses to blockchain networks. Recently, Coinbase revealed it had formed an advisory board to assess the potential quantum risks to major cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum. This advisory board will collaborate with experts in quantum computing, cryptography, and blockchain security to offer guidance and develop solutions for these emerging challenges.
With these strategic moves, Ethereum is positioning itself as a leader in post-quantum blockchain security. As quantum computing technology progresses, it is expected that many other blockchain projects will need to follow suit in ensuring their networks remain secure in the new quantum era.
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