Why Vitalik believes quantum computing could break Ethereum’s cryptography sooner than expected

Buterin warns that quantum computers could threaten Ethereum’s cryptography sooner than expected and outlines how the network can prepare safely.

Buterin sees a nontrivial 20% chance that quantum computers could break current cryptography before 2030, and he argues that Ethereum should begin preparing for that possibility.

A key risk involves ECDSA. Once a public key is visible onchain, a future quantum computer could, in theory, use it to recover the corresponding private key.

Buterin’s quantum emergency plan involves rolling back blocks, freezing EOAs and moving funds into quantum-resistant smart contract wallets.

Read more