The Ethereum (ETH) Foundation formed a dedicated post-quantum security team, elevating cryptographic defense against quantum computing to a top strategic priority.
The new team will be led by Thomas Coratger with support from leanVM cryptographer Emile.
Ethereum researcher Justin Drake announced the shift from background research to active engineering. The foundation is launching biweekly developer sessions on post-quantum transactions and multi-client test networks for quantum-resistant consensus mechanisms.
The initiative includes $2 million in research prizes and community education programs focused on quantum threats to blockchain systems.
The Quantum Computing Timeline
Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin estimated in August 2025 there is approximately a 20% probability that quantum computers could break current cryptography before 2030.
He cited forecasts from prediction platform Metaculus, which places the median scenario around 2040.
The assessment comes as governments and technology firms accelerate quantum computing development. Current blockchain systems rely on elliptic curve cryptography that powerful quantum machines could theoretically compromise.
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What's Being Built
The team is developing quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions including STARK-based zero-knowledge proofs and lattice-based algorithms. These approaches are designed to withstand attacks from quantum computers while maintaining network performance.
Drake emphasized that blockchains must prepare early despite quantum threats remaining years away. The transition to quantum-safe cryptography requires extensive testing, wallet upgrades, and coordinated user migration before any practical threat emerges.
Ethereum currently secures transactions using ECDSA for accounts and BLS signatures for validator consensus. Both schemes would be vulnerable to sufficiently powerful quantum computers running algorithms like Shor's algorithm, which can break elliptic curve encryption.
The foundation plans to integrate quantum-resistant features into Ethereum's protocol roadmap while maintaining compatibility with existing infrastructure.
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