Ethereum is set to introduce protection against quantum threats. In 2026, the blockchain is expected to undergo a major update of encryption algorithms and transaction verification methods.
Now, the quantum resistance roadmap.
Today, four things in Ethereum are quantum-vulnerable:
* consensus-layer BLS signatures
* data availability (KZG commitments+proofs)
* EOA signatures (ECDSA)
* Application-layer ZK proofs (KZG or groth16)We can tackle these step by step:…
— vitalik.eth (@VitalikButerin) February 26, 2026
Currently, there are four components in the protocol vulnerable to quantum computers: consensus-layer signatures, data availability, user address algorithms, and ZK proofs. The update plan includes a step-by-step network overhaul.
The existing validator signatures will be completely replaced with hash-based cryptography. A fast hashing algorithm will be selected for the new system, as standard solutions operate slowly.
The network will abandon the current verification system (KZG) in favor of STARK proofs. This will require extensive technical work, as the new algorithms are space-intensive. The team will need to optimize information storage.
User Wallets
A new type of transaction with validation and gas fee abstraction (EIP-8141) will be added to the protocol. This will allow the use of any cryptographic systems for transaction signatures, not just ECDSA. Quantum-resistant algorithms are bulkier and more expensive. To prevent network fees from rising, the network’s mathematical computation mechanisms will be updated.
Quantum-safe proofs currently incur prohibitively high fees—around 10 million gas. The solution will be protocol-level aggregation. Transactions will be verified before being included in a block, in the mempool. Every half-second, nodes will send only one “light” proof of all computations’ correctness to the main network. This will reduce system load and lower operational costs.
Back in January, the Ethereum Foundation announced post-quantum security as one of its main strategic priorities and formed a dedicated team of developers.