The security of a blockchain is based on a simple promise: to make the cost of an attack far greater than the expected benefit. This equation has still held for more than ten years thanks to cryptographic mechanisms known to be solid. And yet, quantum computing is starting to bring everything back into play. The machines that could threaten bitcoin or Ethereum don't exist yet, but the progress already made in this area is forcing developers to prepare for the future. A proposal presented by Nicolas Consigny, head of the Kohaku project at the Ethereum Foundation, indicates that Ethereum could today protect its accounts against quantum attacks for a pittance: only 7 cents per account.
In brief
- Ethereum could begin protecting some accounts against future quantum attacks without waiting for a major network change.
- The solution proposed by Nicolas Consigny is based on SPHINCS-, a post-quantum signature system adapted to the Ethereum ecosystem.
- The estimated cost of this protection would be just 7 cents per account, a particularly low amount for this type of security.
- Recent advances in quantum computing, notably the work of Google Quantum AI, are reviving questions about the resistance of cryptocurrencies to future threats.
A post-quantum solution already compatible with Ethereum
The work published by Consigny on Ethereum Research shows that SPHINCS- significantly alleviates these constraints, while some think that the foundation would be in crisis. Verifying a signature would cost around 2 million gas, or a cost close to 7 cents under current network conditions.
The researcher noted also that the Fable company has already carried out a first security audit. Further independent testing remains to be carried out to judge the robustness of the system before it is more widely adopted.
The proposal present several characteristics highlighted by its author:
- Protection against future quantum attacks;
- Compatibility with the current Ethereum environment;
- The absence of a hard fork necessary to begin deployment;
- An estimated cost of only 7 cents per account;
- A first security review already carried out.
The advantage of this approach is that it could be integrated without profoundly modifying the Ethereum protocol and thus protect certain accounts from a post-quantum attack well before a possible global update of the network.
Quantum computing is becoming an increasingly serious topic for blockchains
This proposal from Nicolas Consigny comes at a time when research into quantum computing is accelerating. For several years, cybersecurity experts have been sounding the alarm about the risks of Shor's algorithm, which is capable of compromising cryptographic systems based on elliptic curves. But today, these mechanisms are the foundations of the security of Ethereum and many other blockchains.
New concerns have emerged following Google's publication of new work Quantum AI. Researchers now believe that around 1,200 logical qubits would be enough to threaten modern elliptical cryptography. This estimate is still theoretical and very far from the current capabilities of quantum computers. However, this remains a significant revision compared to certain previous projections which announced much broader needs.
This development also fuels concerns related to the strategy called “collect today, decipher tomorrow”. Such a scenario is based on the idea that malicious actors could collect encrypted data today and decrypt it later, when quantum power is sufficient. Although Ethereum transactions are not directly affected by this risk immediately, public keys revealed during certain operations could become prime targets in a future where quantum capabilities reach a critical level.
Ethereum is already preparing its transition to the post-quantum era
The announcement around SPHINCS- is part of a global strategy led by the Ethereum Foundation. With advances in quantum computing, the organization has intensified its research into long-term network security. A specialized team has been set up to study the different migration scenarios towards cryptographic systems capable of withstanding future generations of quantum computers.
Justin Drake, one of the most influential researchers in the Ethereum ecosystem, even speaks of quantum resistance as a “absolute strategic priority”. This statement shows the importance that network managers give to this issue. Current discussions go beyond SPHINCS-. We are exploring various avenues, including the use of Account Abstraction and future improvement proposals allowing users to gradually adopt new signature schemes.
Ethereum wants to avoid a brutal transition. A gradual migration would allow developers, businesses and crypto owners the time needed to adapt their infrastructures. This approach could also reduce the operational risks posed by the introduction of still emerging technologies. In an area where a technical error can have very significant financial consequences, caution remains an essential element.
Today, no quantum computer threatens the security of Ethereum. The technical obstacles are still very significant and all experts agree to consider this risk as a medium or long term issue. Thus, Nicolas Consigny's initiative nevertheless shows that reflection goes beyond research laboratories. Concrete solutions are starting to appear, at costs low enough to allow gradual adoption.
Protecting an Ethereum account for just 7 cents is not an immediate revolution. On the other hand, it is a strong signal sent to the entire blockchain industry. Progress in quantum computing is gradually shaking the foundations of modern cryptography. Networks that know how to anticipate these changes will thus be able to gain a decisive advantage. For Ethereum, the race for quantum resistance is therefore launched well before the arrival of machines capable of threatening its security.
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