Tezos ecosystem developers have launched a prototype testnet for private blockchain payments designed to be resistant to future quantum computing attacks, as concerns grow that advances in quantum technology could ultimately threaten existing blockchain privacy systems.
The prototype, called TzEL, uses post-quantum cryptography and ZK-STARK proofs to protect transaction data and encrypted payment metadata that could otherwise be vulnerable to “collect now, decrypt later” attacks, where encrypted blockchain data collected today will be decrypted in the future, according to Tezos.
The prototype also leverages the Tezos data availability layer to support larger proof sizes related to post-quantum cryptography, which the developers say is one of the main technical barriers to building scalable, quantum-resistant onchain privacy systems.
Source: Theses
By design white paperThe quantum-resistant ZK-STARK proofs used by TzEL are approximately 300 KB in size, which is much larger than privacy proofs commonly used in existing blockchain systems.
TzEL is currently available on the Tezos testnet and remains in development, while the broader Tezos (XTZ) ecosystem is still in the early stages of moving towards post-quantum cryptography.
Related: Rushed quantum fixes could backfire on Bitcoin, warns Samson Mow
The crypto industry is ramping up post-quantum security efforts
The crypto industry has stepped up efforts to prepare for quantum computing threats throughout April as concerns grow about the long-term security of blockchain crypto systems.
Two major on-chain validation customers Solana (SOL) have launched a test version of a post-quantum signature system called Falcon, designed to facilitate protect the blockchain against future quantum threats while minimizing performance trade-offs.
Meanwhile, MARA Holdings has launched the MARA Foundation to support the development of the Bitcoin network, including research into quantum-resistant security measures.
Source: MARA Holding
Coinbase researchers also said Algorand (ALGO) and Aptos (APT) have moved further in preparing for potential quantum threats, citing efforts to integrate quantum-resistant cryptography into their networks.
However, researchers have warned that proof-of-stake blockchains may face greater risks from quantum computing due to the signature systems used by network validators.
According to Bernstein researchers, the crypto industry has about three to five years to move towards quantum-resistant cryptographic standards before quantum computing becomes a security threat to Bitcoin (BTC).
But not everyone agrees. In May, Adam Back, co-creator of cypherpunk and Bitcoin, said that it would likely take at least another 20 years for computers capable of cracking Bitcoin signatures to emerge.
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