Blockchain Prepares for the Era of Quantum Computers: Ethereum, Stellar, and Tron Adopt Different Survival Strategies

[Block Media Reporter Ham Ji-hyun] As concerns grow that quantum computers could undermine the cryptographic systems of existing blockchains, major projects are accelerating the adoption of quantum-resistant technologies.

Notably, Ethereum (ETH) is redesigning the cryptographic structure of its entire network under the banner of "Lean Ethereum." Stellar (XLM) is pursuing a strategy that maintains existing wallet addresses while only changing the signing method, while Tron (TRX) has proposed adding new quantum-resistant signatures to the existing transaction and block generation systems.

SUI and Aptos (APT) are also developing quantum-resistant signature technologies. However, there are differences in the scope of application and development progress. Some projects have successfully validated transactions on their development networks, but many are still in the stage of preparing technical proposals or mainnet implementations.

Ethereum Adopts Proven Hash Instead of Poseidon After 8 Years of Research

Ethereum is overhauling its cryptographic system more extensively than any other project. The Ethereum Foundation has set a goal to transition the core areas of layer 1 (L1) such as execution, consensus, and data to a quantum-resistant system by December 2029.

The core of this initiative is "Lean Ethereum," a long-term technological overhaul plan that simplifies the existing network structure while enhancing both security and scalability.

In August, Ethereum pivoted from its previous direction of adopting the hash function "Poseidon," which had been researched for eight years, as the core cryptographic technology for L1. Instead, it is pursuing a strategy that utilizes long-validated hash functions from the SHA (Secure Hash Algorithm) or BLAKE families.

In the past, existing hash functions were inefficient for use with zero-knowledge proof technologies like SNARK (Succinct Non-interactive Arguments of Knowledge), which led to the separate development of Poseidon. However, recent advancements in SNARK technology have made it possible to process existing hash functions efficiently.

Based on this, Ethereum is introducing hash-based quantum-resistant signatures and developing technology to compress numerous signatures into a single small proof. This also includes the work of replacing the existing validator signature method, BLS (Boneh-Lynn-Shacham), with a quantum-resistant approach.

Plans for an emergency recovery hard fork in anticipation of quantum attacks materializing sooner than expected have also been under consideration.

However, the current timeline for the technological transition is only a goal and does not represent a confirmed upgrade schedule.

Stellar Focuses on Transitioning to Quantum-Resistant System While Maintaining Existing Wallet Addresses

Stellar has focused on enabling users and financial institutions to transition to a quantum-resistant system while retaining their existing accounts.

The Stellar Development Foundation (SDF) included the quantum-resistant signature verification function of the quantum-resistant electronic signature algorithm "ML-DSA," adopted as a standard by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), in the core software version 30 released on the 16th.

This function allows for the verification of quantum-resistant signatures on the smart contract platform "Soroban."

In the "Quantum Preparedness Plan (QPP)" announced in June, Stellar set a goal to provide quantum-resistant authentication features for enterprise smart accounts by 2026 and to allow general accounts to add quantum-resistant signatures by the end of 2027.

Stellar separates the signature keys used for account addresses and transaction approvals. Therefore, users can change the signing method of their existing accounts without creating new addresses or transferring assets to other accounts.

Development of related technologies has also progressed.

The "Bell" upgrade, which includes this function, is scheduled for validator voting on the testnet on November 3 and on the mainnet on November 23. Even if approved, not all signatures on the network will immediately switch to quantum-resistant methods.

The transition of existing general accounts to quantum resistance and the phasing out of the old signature system will be pursued in subsequent stages.

Tron Adds Quantum-Resistant Signatures from Transactions to Block Generation

Tron has chosen to maintain its existing system while adding new signing methods.

The technical proposal (TIP)-899 drafted at the end of June includes the introduction of quantum-resistant signature technologies from the Falcon (FN-DSA-512) and Dilithium (ML-DSA-44) families.

This applies not only to general transactions but also to block generation, inter-node communication, and the signature verification function of the Tron Virtual Machine (TVM).

Instead of immediately discarding the existing Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), it has been designed to allow the simultaneous use of new signatures. The activation of individual technologies will be determined through on-chain governance.

However, TIP-899 is currently in the draft stage. Development and testing are underway, but quantum-resistant signatures have not yet been applied to the entire mainnet.

SUI Achieves Successful Quantum-Resistant Transactions on Development Network; Aptos Chooses Hash-Based Signatures

SUI has achieved results in validating transactions on its actual development network.

On October 13, SUI developer Mistin Labs announced that it successfully processed the first native transaction using the quantum-resistant signature algorithm ML-DSA-65 on its development network (Devnet).

SUI is introducing ML-DSA-65 for general accounts while pursuing a dual strategy of using hash-based signature technology SLH-DSA for smart contract vaults that hold high-value assets.

A plan to transition using existing recovery phrases to quantum-resistant keys has also been prepared. The goal for the introduction of general accounts on the mainnet is the first quarter of 2027, but this may change based on external security audits and testing results.

Aptos is focusing on the safety of hash-based signatures. Through improvement proposal AIP-137, it is pushing for the adoption of SLH-DSA-SHA2-128s, which has been standardized by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

This method is based on the security of the SHA-256 hash function. It is also characterized by its design that allows for the replacement of the account's authentication key while maintaining the existing address.

Quantum Resistance Competition: The Key is Balancing Security and Performance

The strategies of each project differ. Ethereum focuses on redesigning the entire cryptographic system, Stellar emphasizes continuity of existing accounts, Tron concentrates on compatibility with existing networks, SUI emphasizes practical demonstrations on development networks and gradual implementation, while Aptos leans towards conservative hash-based cryptographic technology choices.

A common challenge is that quantum-resistant signatures may be larger or incur higher processing costs than existing signatures. It is necessary to enhance security while maintaining transaction processing speed and network operating costs.

Quantum security analyst Marin Ibeziče stated in a report released on the 5th that "the process of phasing out existing algorithms is more difficult than adding new signature algorithms to the blockchain." He pointed out that if some assets remain under the existing cryptographic system, the introduction of new quantum-resistant signatures may not eliminate the overall security risks of the network.

Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder of StarkWare, warned that the threat of quantum computers could materialize faster than expected. He expressed uncertainty about whether Ethereum's transition to quantum resistance would be completed in time, noting that the response speed of existing blockchains has emerged as a new competitive variable.

Previously, StarkWare announced plans to build its own mainnet to achieve quantum resistance, moving away from Ethereum Layer 2.

However, experts' views on the urgency of quantum and AI threats vary.

Yehuda Lindell, Chief Cryptographer at Coinbase, rebutted, stating that "there is no evidence that the security of elliptic curve cryptography, which has been used for decades, has weakened at all." He warned that claiming the early collapse of cryptographic systems without concrete evidence could incite fear.

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