Solana and Aptos Advance Quantum-Resistant Measures to Secure Blockchain Futures
The Solana Foundation and Project Eleven have launched a post-quantum digital-signature-enabled Solana testnet to assess the network's resistance to quantum attacks. This follows Solana's earlier introduction of the Winternitz Vault, an opt-in wallet feature that uses hash-based signatures, generating a new key for each transaction to enhance security.
Meanwhile, Aptos is considering the implementation of AIP-137, which introduces an optional post-quantum signature scheme called SLH-DSA, while retaining Ed25519 as the default signature method. Importantly, Aptos does not plan any mandatory migration to this new signature method. AIP-137 employs SHA-256, resulting in larger signature sizes and slower verification speeds, which could increase network load as adoption expands.
Aptos Labs describes this initiative as a cautious and long-term approach led by Alin Tomescu; the aim is to prepare the network to respond to potential future advancements in quantum computing, while maintaining governance control over the process.
The broader blockchain industry is actively discussing the threat posed by powerful quantum computers, which could derive private keys from public keys and forge signatures, potentially compromising networks like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Zcash, and others. Industry opinions vary on the timeline for these risks, with some suggesting they are decades away, while many experts argue for proactive quantum readiness. Notably, Adam Back has commented that, although it is early, preparing for quantum threats is a reasonable step.
