While quantum computers capable of breaking modern encryption methods don’t yet exist, they could one day break the digital signatures and encryption systems that secure Ethereum.
At this point, Buterin, speaking from account X, stated that the four areas requiring change were “verifier signatures, data storage, user accounts, and some zero-knowledge proofs used by layer-2 networks.” However, he said this evolution would not be easy.
Buterin’s remarks came shortly after the Ethereum Foundation established a dedicated post-quantum research team to investigate the issue.
To address these issues, he proposed adopting hash-based signature methods. At this point, Buterin stated that replacing the current BLS (Boneh-Lynn-Shacham) consensus signatures with “Lean” quantum-safe hash-based signatures would solve this problem.
Buterin also stated that the infrastructure used for verifying and storing large volumes of transaction data needs to be improved.
*This is not investment advice.