Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has outlined a plan to replace vulnerable cryptographic components with quantum-resistant alternatives. The proposed changes aim to reduce high gas costs from quantum-safe signatures and proofs.
Four areas of the protocol are at risk due to advances in quantum computing: consensus-layer BLS signatures, data availability tools known as KZG commitments, ECDSA signature scheme used by standard user accounts, and zero-knowledge proof systems used by applications and layer-2 networks. Buterin proposes replacing these with hash-based, lattice-based, or STARK-based systems.
The Ethereum Foundation has elevated post-quantum security to a top priority, launching a dedicated team and releasing a seven-fork upgrade plan dubbed the “Strawmap.” The plan integrates quantum-resistant signatures and STARK-friendly cryptography into the network’s consensus design through 2029.
To address user account costs, Buterin suggests using STARKs for compressed many validator signatures into a single attestation. This approach aims to reduce gas costs from $3,000 (current ECDSA signature) to $200,000 (hash-based quantum-resistant signature).
The proposed solution involves recursive aggregation of validation frames and proofs at the mempool layer, with nodes propagating valid transactions every 500 milliseconds alongside a proof of validity.
This plan is part of Ethereum’s efforts to ensure its security in a post-quantum era. By implementing these changes, Buterin aims to make the network more resistant to quantum attacks and reduce gas costs for users.
Source: https://decrypt.co/359352/vitalik-buterin-maps-quantum-upgrade-ethereum