Protecting Blockchain Networks from Quantum Threats
A Framework for Quantum Resistance
Source: LACChain
We are very glad to communicate that our paper “Quantum Resistance in Blockchain Networks” has been published by Scientific Reports journal from Springer-Nature and is publicly available online. This represents a very rewarding recognition to the work that we began in 2020 in collaboration with Quantinuum and Tecnologico de Monterrey seeking to develop a framework that allows to help protect blockchain networks from attacks by large and robust quantum computers.
As the paper claims “the advent of quantum computing threatens blockchain protocols and networks because they utilize non-quantum resistant cryptographic algorithms. When quantum computers become robust enough to run Shor’s algorithm on a large scale, the most used asymmetric algorithms, utilized for digital signatures and message encryption, such as RSA, (EC)DSA, and (EC)DH, will be no longer secure. Quantum computers will be able to break them within a short period of time”.
Our work is pioneer in proposing a five-step end-to-end framework applicable to most blockchain networks that does not require critical modifications of the baseline protocols to add a post-quantum cryptographic layer that ensures resistance to attacks by quantum computers. The joint team has also developed a scalable implementation for Ethereum-based networks which has been deployed in LACChain, that uses Hyperledger Besu as the blockchain protocol.
Marcos Allende Lopez, CTO of LACChain and leader of this work claimed that “today the blockchain community is focused on urgent needs such as scalability and interoperability. However, considering that there are trillions of dollars in value stored in blockchain networks and that according to Boston Consulting Group tokenization is expecting to become a $16 trillion market in 2030, it is irresponsible to not have a plan to protect decentralized ledgers from attacks by quantum computers that will be able to discover private keys and steal assets. Despite it is uncertain when large and robust quantum computers will be ready to accomplish that, it is very plausible that these machines are used silently at the beginning for hacking strategically without being spotted.”
Our open-source development presents three alternatives for the blockchain verification of transactions signed with the Falcon-512 NIST-compliant post-quantum signatures: (i) implementing the verification code in Solidity which constitutes – to our knowledge – the first smart contract capable of verifying post-quantum signatures, (ii) implementing solidity instruction in the Solc compiler and corresponding EVM opcode, and (iii) refactoring the EVM opcode Java from the EVM virtual machine into a pre-compiled contract.
The team is now working on an EIP to take this discussion to a broader forum within the Ethereum and Hyperledger communities. LACChain is looking for entities and individuals that want to join us in this mission.
Professor Salvador E. Venegas-Andraca, of Tecnologico de Monterrey, commented: “Quantum technology is a give-and-take discipline: on the one hand, quantum computers together with Shor's algorithm will eventually become a vulnerability to public key cryptography protocols and other technologies used in digital data protection. On the other hand, we can use quantum technology to increase the security of current and future data. The latter is indeed the core of our paper: to use quantum technology to protect current and future blockchains from quantum attacks.”.
Duncan Jones, Head of Cybersecurity at Quantinuum, added: “The most valuable digital assets demand the highest levels of security. By combining quantum-safe algorithms with quantum-computer-hardened keys from our Quantum Origin platform, this work demonstrates a significant security improvement for blockchain systems.”.
About LACChain
LACChain is a global alliance that brings together various stakeholders in the blockchain space, led by the Innovation Lab of the Inter-American Development Bank Group (IDB Lab), with the goal of developing the blockchain ecosystem in Latin America and the Caribbean. Its mission is to accelerate the adoption of blockchain technology in the region, promoting innovation, reducing economic, social, and gender inequalities, improving job quality and security, and fostering financial inclusion, consumer protection, and market integrity. To achieve these goals, LACChain focuses on two main pillars: community and infrastructure. Through its initiatives, LACChain aims to empower people, improve digital security, build trust in the digital economy and society, and foster energy efficiency, all while supporting inclusive growth, well-being, human rights, and fundamental values. For more information about LACChain and its initiatives, please visit their website at www.lacchain.net.
About Tecnologico de Monterrey
Tecnologico de Monterrey was founded in 1943 thanks to the vision of Don Eugenio Garza Sada and a group of entrepreneurs who formed a non-profit association called Enseñanza e Investigación Superior, A. C. Tecnologico de Monterrey is a private, non-profit, independent institution with no political and religious affiliations. The work of Tecnológico de Monterrey on all of its campuses is supported by civil associations made up of a numerous group of outstanding leaders from all over the country who are committed to quality in higher education. Tecnologico de Monterrey is widely recognized as one of the most prestigious universities in Latin America and it ranks among the top 200 universities in the world according to QS World University Rankings.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum is one of the world’s largest integrated standalone quantum computing companies, formed by the combination of Honeywell Quantum Solutions’ world-leading hardware and Cambridge Quantum’s class-leading middleware and applications. Science-led and enterprise driven, Quantinuum accelerates quantum computing and the development of applications across chemistry, cybersecurity, finance, and optimization. Its focus is to create scalable and commercial quantum solutions to solve the world’s most pressing problems, in fields such as energy, logistics, climate change, and health. The company employs over 480 people including 350 scientists, at nine sites in the US, Europe, and Japan.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum company, pioneers powerful quantum computers and advanced software solutions. Quantinuum’s technology drives breakthroughs in materials discovery, cybersecurity, and next-gen quantum AI. With over 500 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, Quantinuum leads the quantum computing revolution across continents.
Broomfield, CO, April 3rd, 2025 — Quantinuum, the industry leader in quantum computing with the world’s most powerful quantum computer, has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA), a research and development agency of the United States Department of Defense, to participate in the first stage of the agency’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI).
QBI aims to assess the feasibility of building an industrially useful quantum computer by 2033. Successful QBI performers will advance through stages A, B, and C; Stage A requires performers to describe their utility-scale quantum computer with a path to near-term realization, where utility-scale means the computational value exceeds costs.
As validated in a recent independent benchmarking study by a group of institutions at the forefront of quantum computing research, Quantinuum’s quantum systems are the highest performing in the industry. Last year, Quantinuum published its development roadmap, outlining a path to a universal, fully-fault tolerant quantum computer by 2029. Beyond this public roadmap, Quantinuum plans to scale to even larger machines in the early part of the 2030s, aligning with the objectives of QBI.
“We are honored to collaborate with DARPA and look forward to working closely with their test and evaluation team as they assess our roadmap and technological approach,” said Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum. “With our roadmap firmly on track, we are confident in our ability to deliver on DARPA’s objectives for QBI.”
Microsoft and NVIDIA will take part in Quantinuum’s Stage A effort, building on their long-standing collaborations with Quantinuum in advancing commercially scalable quantum computing.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum is the world leader in quantum computing. The company’s quantum systems deliver the highest performance across all industry benchmarks. Quantinuum’s over 550 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, across the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, are driving the quantum computing revolution.
Broomfield, CO, April 2nd, 2025 — Quantinuum, the industry leader in quantum computing with the world’s highest performing quantum computer, today announced that Quantum Origin, the company’s software Quantum Random Number Generator (QRNG), has received National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) validation. Quantum Origin is the first software QRNG to achieve this validation, establishing it as a crucial tool for federal agencies and agency partners in their mandated migration to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) under National Security Memorandum 10. This achievement will help strengthen cybersecurity in the age of PQC.
Quantum Origin generates mathematically proven randomness — a capability unmatched by hardware-based QRNGs or traditional pseudo-random number generators. Unlike hardware solutions that require specialized equipment and can be affected by environmental factors, Quantum Origin delivers consistent, proven randomness through flexible software deployment. Proven quantum randomness is an essential foundation for comprehensive quantum security strategy alongside PQC.
"The evolving threat landscape demands a new era of cybersecurity solutions for governments, enterprises, and critical infrastructure," said Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum. "Quantinuum is at the forefront of this transformation, driving innovation in quantum cybersecurity. Our recent certified randomness demonstration with JPMorganChase, and our NIST-validated Quantum Origin platform are just two examples of how we are deepening our portfolio to meet this critical need."
Quantum Origin is delivered entirely as self-contained software, making it adaptable to diverse environments from cloud solutions to highly sensitive systems. It can be deployed with zero network connectivity, enabling protection for air-gapped networks and confidential environments where traditional hardware-based QRNGs cannot operate effectively. It provides quantum-enhanced security without impacting the size, weight, and power (SWaP) requirements of existing systems, a critical consideration for resource-constrained deployments.
U.S. Made using Quantinuum's quantum computers based in Colorado, Quantum Origin helps mitigate supply chain risks associated with foreign-sourced hardware components. It is designed to integrate seamlessly with existing NIST-approved cryptographic systems without requiring recertification. With this NIST validation, organizations can now accelerate their adoption of quantum-enhanced security within existing compliance frameworks.
Visit https://www.quantinuum.com/quantum-origin to learn how Quantum Origin can strengthen federal and enterprise cryptographic systems today.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum is the world leader in quantum computing. The company’s quantum systems deliver the highest performance across all industry benchmarks. Quantinuum’s over 550 employees, including 370+ scientists and engineers, across the US, UK, Germany, and Japan, are driving the quantum computing revolution.