Ethereum blinds its network against the threat of quantum computing

Source: Criptonoticias Original Title: Ethereum strengthens its network against the threat of quantum computing Original Link:

• Ethereum has launched an emergency plan to combat quantum threats.
• The Ethereum Foundation will support research and offers a USD 1 million prize.

Justin Drake, a member of the Ethereum Foundation and protocol developer, has officially declared post-quantum security as a strategic priority. To this end, he is implementing short-term and long-term plans.

This initiative not only addresses a technical necessity but also aims to strengthen users’ trust in the Ethereum infrastructure.

We have formed a new post-quantum team (PQ), led by Thomas Coratger. Emile, one of the world-class talents behind leanVM, joins him. LeanVM is the cryptographic cornerstone of our entire post-quantum strategy, the researcher assured.

The urgency of these measures is based on the accelerated technological development of quantum computing observed in recent months, as Drake emphasizes.

We are in 2026, and deadlines are speeding up. It’s time to achieve the highest quality, he added, emphasizing the need to act immediately to protect the network.

The idea is to move from long-term research to active engineering implementation. The goal is to proactively address the potential threats that quantum computing poses to wallets and cryptographic systems.

User security is the top priority

The technical focus of this security team centers on leanVM, a minimalist zero-knowledge virtual machine, specifically proposed and developed within the ecosystem of the network. This tool is positioned as the essential component to implement solutions that can withstand the computational power of quantum computers.

Ethereum’s security roadmap also includes close coordination among the main protocol development stakeholders. Starting February 2026, Antonio Sanso will lead bi-weekly meetings with the leading Ethereum developers.

The focus is on user security, working on the implementation of new developments without complicating the user experience, Drake detailed.

Thus, the agenda will focus on keeping the network secure and ensuring users are not affected. To achieve this, cryptographic tools will be integrated into the protocol, account abstraction routes, and long-term work on transaction signature aggregation via LeanVM.

Additionally, to incentivize research that contributes to improving these systems, a USD 1 million prize was announced for anyone who enhances or strengthens the security of Poseidon, a hash function widely used in zk-SNARKs and zk-rollups, especially in zero-knowledge proofs.

The post-quantum security team includes Ethereum researcher Antonio Sanso among its specialists.

The main goal of this entire process is to ensure that the technological migration is transparent to market participants.

A complete breakdown of the PQ strategy proposed by the Ethereum Foundation will soon be shared on its dedicated portal. The aim is a full transition in the coming years that prevents loss of funds or downtime, ensuring the integrity of every digital currency stored on the network, Drake added.

Paving the way for “quantum resistance”

Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has been one of the most persistent voices regarding the need for this technical evolution. A few days ago, Buterin warned that, for the network to operate without human intervention, it must become completely resistant to quantum computing.

This vision has led to the search for alternatives to elliptic curve cryptography, which is vulnerable to known quantum algorithms.

Last August, Ignacio Hagopian, a developer from the organization, said he is evaluating adopting Falcon signatures, a post-quantum algorithm based on lattice cryptography. He notes that, so far, it has not been demonstrated that Falcon can be broken by known quantum algorithms.

Hash-based signatures are also being considered as an alternative, Hagopian added, explaining the different technical options currently under consideration.

With these actions, the Ethereum Foundation aims to ensure that the network remains relevant and secure amid growing fears about the potential effects of quantum computing.