Ethereum is beginning a long-term effort to protect its network against a form of computing that does not yet exist at scale but could one day reshape digital security.
Quantum computing, often discussed in scientific and academic circles, has implications that go far beyond research labs. For blockchain networks, it raises questions about how safely digital assets, transactions, and identities can be protected in the decades ahead.
Rather than treating this as a distant concern, the Ethereum Foundation is taking early action. By forming a dedicated post-quantum security team and committing funding to research and testing, Ethereum is positioning itself to adapt before the threat becomes urgent.
Ethereum Forms a New Team Focused on Post-Quantum Protection
The Ethereum Foundation has officially created a specialised team dedicated to post-quantum security, signalling a shift from exploratory research to structured development.
This team has been tasked with ensuring that Ethereum’s core security systems can remain reliable even if quantum computers become powerful enough to challenge today’s cryptographic standards.
The team is led by cryptography engineer Thomas Coratger, with support from Emile, a researcher associated with Ethereum’s leanVM project.
LeanVM is a streamlined system designed to handle advanced cryptographic operations more efficiently. While it is highly technical in nature, its purpose is straightforward.
It provides Ethereum with a flexible foundation that can support new security methods as technology evolves, including those designed to resist quantum-based attacks.
Although the announcement is recent, the work itself is not entirely new. Ethereum researchers have been studying post-quantum cryptography since 2019. What has changed in 2026 is the level of priority.
Post-quantum security is no longer treated as a background research topic. It is now embedded into Ethereum’s long-term roadmap with dedicated leadership, clearer timelines, and defined resources.
Funding plays a central role in this strategy. The Ethereum Foundation introduced the Poseidon Prize, committing $1 million to improving a cryptographic hash function that is widely used in Ethereum’s zero-knowledge proof systems.
Hash functions are essential tools that help verify data while preserving privacy, making them critical to many applications built on Ethereum. Strengthening these components is seen as an important step in improving the network’s future resilience.
This prize complements a separate $1 million research initiative announced earlier, which focuses more broadly on post-quantum cryptographic techniques. Together, these programmes aim to attract researchers, encourage collaboration, and accelerate progress across the ecosystem.
Beyond funding and leadership, practical testing is already underway. Ethereum client teams such as Lighthouse and Grandine have launched post-quantum development networks to experiment with new cryptographic approaches.
Prysm is expected to join these efforts. These test environments allow developers to observe how quantum-resistant methods perform in real conditions, helping identify challenges early.
Developer sessions focused specifically on post-quantum transactions are also scheduled to begin soon.
These sessions will explore how users sign transactions, how account structures may change over time, and how Ethereum can support a gradual transition without disrupting existing applications.
Why Quantum Computing Represents a Long-Term Risk for Blockchains
Quantum computing differs fundamentally from the computers people use today. Traditional computers rely on bits that represent either a 0 or a 1.
Quantum computers use quantum bits, or qubits, which can exist in multiple states at once. This allows them to perform certain calculations far more efficiently than classical machines.
Blockchain security relies on mathematical problems that are extremely difficult for current computers to solve.
These problems protect private keys, validate transactions, and ensure that only the rightful owner of a wallet can authorise actions. This is what makes blockchains secure in practice.
However, sufficiently powerful quantum computers could eventually solve these problems much faster.
If that happens, the cryptographic systems used by many blockchains today could become vulnerable. In the worst case, this could expose private keys or allow attackers to create fraudulent transactions.
While large-scale quantum computers are not yet available, many researchers believe their development is accelerating.
The risk for blockchains is not about timing alone. Even if quantum computers are still years away, upgrading security across a global network takes time. Waiting until the threat is immediate would leave little room for safe and coordinated changes.
Ethereum’s response focuses on preparation rather than urgency-driven reactions. By beginning research, testing, and gradual upgrades now, the network can introduce new security methods over time. This reduces disruption and allows developers and users to adapt at a manageable pace.
Ethereum’s account abstraction roadmap plays a key role in this approach. It allows changes to how accounts and transaction approvals work without forcing a single, disruptive network upgrade. This flexibility makes it easier to support multiple security methods during a transition period.
Early preparation also matters for trust. Businesses, institutions, and developers need confidence that the platforms they rely on will remain secure in the long term.
By treating post-quantum security as a strategic priority, Ethereum is sending a clear signal that it intends to remain dependable even as computing technology evolves.
Across the wider crypto industry, awareness of quantum risks is increasing. Some exchanges and industry groups are forming advisory bodies to study potential impacts.
Ethereum’s approach stands out because it combines funding, leadership, and real-world testing rather than remaining purely theoretical.
Conclusion
Ethereum’s move to establish a dedicated post-quantum security team reflects a long-term view of network resilience.
Instead of reacting to future threats under pressure, the Ethereum Foundation is choosing to prepare early, combining research, funding, and live testing. While quantum computing is not yet an immediate danger, the time required to adapt global infrastructure makes early action essential.
By laying the groundwork now, Ethereum is reducing uncertainty and positioning itself to remain secure as technology advances. This measured approach highlights a focus on stability, adaptability, and long-term trust in an increasingly complex digital landscape.