ethereum prepares against quantum threats. How does the community react to Buterin's new proposal and how real is the danger?
The exponential advancement of quantum computing technology poses an enormous challenge for blockchain platforms, potentially undermining the security protocols that form the foundation of these networks, and ethereum (eth) is no exception.
In response to this pressing concern, Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of ethereum, has led discussions on ethereum Research, with the goal of addressing and mitigating the vulnerabilities that quantum computing introduces to ethereum.
Delving into Buterin's strategy
Buterin foresees a possible “quantum emergency,” in which the arrival of quantum computing capabilities could lead to large-scale theft of ethereum assets.
To counter this imminent threat, Buterin proposed a multi-faceted approach, starting with the implementation of a hard fork of the ethereum network.
This hard fork would effectively rewind the network to a state before potential thefts occurred, requiring users to adopt new wallet software designed explicitly to thwart future attacks.
At the center of Buterin's strategy is the adoption of a new transaction type outlined in ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) 7560. This transaction type leverages advanced cryptographic techniques, including Winternitz signatures and zero-knowledge proof technologies like STARK, with the aim of protecting transactions from quantum technology. attacks by protecting users' private keys from exposure.
Additionally, Buterin advocates the integration of ERC-4337 account abstraction for smart contract wallets, increasing security by avoiding the exposure of private keys during the signing process.
The account abstraction acts as a “smart contract wallet,” allowing users to interact with the ethereum network without owning their private keys or needing to hold Ether to cover transaction costs.
In the event of a quantum emergency, users who have not executed transactions from their ethereum wallets would remain protected as only their wallet addresses are public.
Buterin also suggested that, in theory, the infrastructure needed to implement the proposed hard fork could begin to be developed immediately.
Community reaction
The ethereum community is actively discussing Buterin's proposal for a hard fork strategy to protect ethereum from potential quantum attacks. This topic has sparked interest and concern among members.
While the importance of preparing for quantum threats is recognized, there is skepticism about how effective these measures will be against malicious users with access to quantum computing. DogeProtocol, a community member, has raised questions about identifying legitimate account holders from attackers in scenarios where quantum computers can break into ethereum wallets.
DogeProtocol suggested using NIST standardized algorithms combined with classical algorithms. However, this could lead to larger block sizes due to the larger signature and public key sizes in many post-quantum methods.
Another community member, nvmmonkey, recommends a preventative strategy. They suggest integrating a machine learning system into the ethereum node network to detect large and suspicious transactions that could indicate unsafe activities, triggering emergency protocols such as the Stark emergency fork.
Risks Quantum Computers Pose for Blockchain
Blockchain technology, including cryptocurrencies such as bitcoin and ethereum, relies on cryptographic algorithms such as the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) to secure transactions and maintain the integrity of the distributed ledger.
However, quantum algorithms, particularly the Shor algorithm developed by Peter Shor in 1994, pose a problem. threat potentially solving the problem of discrete logarithms on elliptic curves, which is the basis of ECDSA security.
This capability could allow a quantum computer to forge digital signatures, thereby controlling the funds associated with those signatures.
Quantum computers could also undermine other cryptographic practices within blockchain technology, including the hashing process, which is critical to mining and creating new blocks.
While hashing (e.g. SHA-256 in bitcoin) is not directly broken by Shor's algorithm, Grover's algorithm, another quantum algorithm, bitcoin-by-implementing-grovers-algorithm-on-a-quantum-c” target=”_blank” rel=”noopener”>could In theory, it speeds up the process of finding the preimage of a hash, although the speedup is less dramatic than Shor's for encryption.
Quantum leap: Are we ready?
Although current quantum computers are not yet capable of cracking ECDSA on a practical scale, the rapid pace of progress suggests that the threat could become real in the coming years. Google plans to build a quantum computer capable of handling extensive scientific and commercial calculations without errors by 2029.
IBM recently presented “IBM Quantum Heron”, its most advanced quantum processor. This processor stands out for its high performance and low error rates. IBM also introduced the IBM Quantum System Two, a new modular quantum computer. This system, already operational in New York, is designed to address complex scientific and business calculations.
The quantum threat to current cryptography is a fact widely recognized by researchers. There is an increasing emphasis on the development and implementation of post-quantum or quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms.
For example, the National Institute of Standards and technology (NIST) has initiated a process to evaluate and standardize quantum-resistant public-key cryptographic algorithms. These could be crucial steps in keeping blockchain and other digital infrastructure secure and resilient in the face of quantum computing.
As the capabilities of quantum computers evolve, the collaborative participation of researchers, developers and policymakers will be essential.
By prioritizing the development and integration of quantum-resistant cryptographic solutions, the blockchain community can safeguard sensitive information, preserve digital trust, and ensure the continued viability of blockchain in the quantum era.
