Ethereum Foundation Addresses Quantum Security with New Research Program

The Ethereum foundation is moving quickly to strengthen its defenses against future quantum computing threats, establishing a dedicated Post Quantum team to guide the network’s long‑term security strategy. Senior researcher Justin Drake described the effort as a top priority for the organization, noting that the pace of quantum research has accelerated and now demands a coordinated response. The initiative signals a shift from exploratory work to a more structured and well‑funded approach aimed at preparing Ethereum for a new era of cryptographic challenges.

The team will be led by cryptographic engineer Thomas Coratger, with additional support from Emile, a researcher closely involved in the foundation’s leanVM project. Drake has highlighted leanVM as a central component of Ethereum’s post‑quantum roadmap, describing it as a minimalist zero‑knowledge proof virtual machine designed to support quantum‑resistant hash‑based signatures. The foundation views this architecture as essential for ensuring that Ethereum can transition to secure primitives once quantum capabilities advance.

Growing Investment in Post Quantum Research

Drake noted that the foundation’s leadership has formally elevated quantum security to a strategic priority after several years of quiet research and development. He emphasized that the timeline for quantum breakthroughs appears to be tightening, making 2026 a critical year for accelerating preparations. His comments reflect a broader sense of urgency across the industry as researchers evaluate how quickly current cryptographic standards could become vulnerable.

To support the work, the foundation has committed substantial funding to post‑quantum research. A new $1 million Poseidon Prize has been introduced to strengthen a hash function widely used in Ethereum’s zero‑knowledge proof systems. This follows last year’s $1 million Proximity Prize, which was created to encourage advancements in post‑quantum cryptography across the broader ecosystem. Together, the prizes represent one of the largest targeted funding efforts in the space.

Engineering progress is already underway, with multiple Ethereum clients operating post‑quantum development networks. Lighthouse and Grandine have launched their own PQ devnets, and Prysm is expected to join them soon. The foundation will also begin biweekly developer sessions next month focused on post‑quantum transactions, led by researcher Antonio Sanso. Community engagement is expanding as well, with a three‑day workshop planned for October and an additional session scheduled ahead of EthCC in March.

The renewed focus on quantum readiness comes as the wider crypto industry begins to take the threat more seriously. Coinbase recently formed an independent advisory board to evaluate quantum risks to blockchain networks, with Drake serving alongside Stanford cryptographer Dan Boneh and University of Texas professor Scott Aaronson. Their involvement underscores the growing collaboration between academic researchers and industry leaders as they assess potential vulnerabilities.

Ethereum’s push also aligns with recent commentary from co‑founder Vitalik Buterin, who outlined the 'walkaway' test earlier this month. The framework evaluates whether Ethereum could remain secure even if core developers stepped back from active involvement. Buterin identified quantum resistance as a requirement for long‑term resilience and has previously estimated a twenty percent chance that quantum computers capable of breaking current cryptography could emerge before 2030.

The discussion has extended beyond Ethereum. Last week, Jefferies strategist Christopher Wood removed a 10% Bitcoin allocation from his model portfolio, citing quantum computing as a significant risk. While Bitcoin would likely need a contentious hard fork to adopt quantum‑resistant upgrades, Ethereum’s account abstraction roadmap provides a more flexible path for transitioning to new cryptographic standards. The contrast highlights how different design choices across major networks may shape their readiness for the next generation of computing.