Vitalik Buterin unveils Ethereum roadmap to counter quantum computing threat - CoinDesk
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TechShareShare this articleCopy linkX iconX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailVitalik Buterin unveils Ethereum roadmap to counter quantum computing threatThis move comes shortly after the Ethereum Foundation established a dedicated post-quantum research team to study the issue.By Margaux Nijkerk|Edited by Nikhilesh De Feb 26, 2026, 6:14 p.m. Make us preferred on GoogleWhat to know: Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined a roadmap to protect the blockchain from the long-term risks posed by quantum computers.Although practical quantum computers capable of breaking modern cryptography do not yet exist, they could one day crack the digital signatures and cryptographic systems that secure Ethereum.Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined a roadmap on Thursday to protect the blockchain from the long-term risks posed by quantum computers — a move that comes shortly after the Ethereum Foundation established a dedicated post-quantum research team to study the issue.Although practical quantum computers capable of breaking modern cryptography do not yet exist, they could one day crack the digital signatures and cryptographic systems that secure Ethereum.In a post on X, Buterin identified four key areas of vulnerability: validator signatures used in consensus, Ethereum’s data availability system, everyday wallet signatures, and certain zero-knowledge proofs used by applications and layer-2 networks.A big part of the plan involves changing how Ethereum’s validators sign and confirm blocks. Right now, they use a type of digital signature called BLS. In a world with powerful quantum computers, those signatures could eventually be broken. Buterin suggests switching to “hash-based” signatures, which are considered much safer against quantum attacks.Another area that would need updating is how Ethereum checks and stores large batches of transaction data. The system it uses today relies on a cryptographic tool called KZG commitments. Replacing that with a quantum-safe alternative is possible, Buterin said, but it would require significant behind-the-scenes engineering work and could make some parts of the system more complicated.For everyday users, the proposed fix revolves around a planned upgrade called EIP-8141. In simple terms, this upgrade would make Ethereum wallets more flexible. Today, most wallets rely on one standard type of digital signature to approve transactions. EIP-8141 would allow accounts to switch to different types of signatures in the future — including ones designed to be safe against quantum computers.There’s a similar issue with zero-knowledge proofs, a type of advanced cryptography used by privacy tools and many layer-2 scaling networks. Quantum-safe versions of these proofs are currently far more expensive to verify on Ethereum.Buterin pointed to a longer-term solution built into EIP-8141 known as “validation frames.” These would allow the network to bundle together many signatures and proofs and replace them with a single combined proof. Instead of checking each one individually on the blockchain, Ethereum would only need to verify one compressed proof, helping keep costs down.Read more: Quantum threat gets real: Ethereum Foundation prioritizes security with leanVM and PQ signaturesVitalik ButerinEthereum Newsquantum computingMore For YouAI rout hits software stocks, but Grayscale says blockchains stand to benefitBy Will Canny, AI Boost|Edited by Nikhilesh De12 hours agoAs AI rattles tech stocks, Grayscale's head of research said blockchains will power intelligent agents’ transactions and help offset emerging risks.What to know: Grayscale’s Zach Pandl said AI and blockchains are fundamentally complementary, even as crypto has sold off alongside software stocks amid AI-driven market volatility.Pandl argued blockchains could become the financial rails for AI agents, enabling wallet-based, 24/7 global transactions.He also said blockchains may help address AI risks such as deepfakes and centralized control.Read full storyLatest Crypto News Bitcoin ETF holders and treasury firms stack protection against price crash below $60,000, Deribit says40 minutes agoPolymarket bettors appear to have insider-traded on a market designed to catch insider traders1 hour agoBitcoin slides Friday as risk-off mood persists, but majors hold weekly gains2 hours agoAnalysis: Block’s retreat to 2019 scale could be a hint of deeper shifts in payments economics2 hours agoWorld Liberty Financial ties voting power to staking as USD1 supply tops $4.7 Billion2 hours agoU.S. regulator's GENIUS pitch casts dark cloud over crypto sector's stablecoin model 9 hours agoTop StoriesGrant Cardone plans to tokenize his firm's $5 billion real estate portfolio10 hours agoHere is why Ethereum's bold new plan could make the blockchain giant high-speed 'internet of value' by 202910 hours agoHere is why the wild accusations of Jane Street rigging bitcoin price may not be true21 hours agoCrypto investigator ZachXBT alleges trading platform Axiom's employee conducted insider trading16 hours ago