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.
Santa Clara, Calif. – March 18, 2025 – Quantinuum, the industry leader in quantum computing with the world’s highest performing quantum computer, will work with NVIDIA as a founding collaborator on breakthroughs at the NVIDIA Accelerated Quantum Research Center, where operations are expected to begin later this year.
NVIDIA Accelerated Quantum Computing Research Center (NVAQC) will provide the ability to develop quantum solutions and applications that help solve some of the world’s most pressing problems. The center will accomplish this by using NVIDIA CUDA-Q platform alongside a world leading NVIDIA GB200 NVL72 supercomputer with Quantinuum’s System H2, which achieves 2,097,152 Quantum Volume — orders of magnitude greater than the next best available.
Quantinuum’s quantum computing architecture delivers the fastest time-to-solution available and is positioned to extend this leadership with its next-generation systems. By 2027, Quantinuum will launch the industry’s first 100-logical-qubit system, featuring best-in-class error rates. The company is also on track to deliver commercially scalable quantum computers with hundreds of logical qubits by the end of the decade. This progress builds upon a series of recent technology breakthroughs, including Quantinuum’s creation of the most reliable and highest-quality logical qubits, as well as solving the key scalability challenge associated with ion-trap quantum computers — culminating in a commercial system with greater than 99.9% two-qubit gate fidelity.
In 2022, Quantinuum became the first company to bring CUDA-Q to its Quantum systems, establishing a pioneering collaboration that continues to advance the platform today in multiple areas including application development and Quantum Error Correction (QEC). Users of CUDA-Q are currently offered access to Quantinuum’s System H1 QPU and emulator for 90 days. Quantinuum’s future systems will continue to support the CUDA-Q platform and be available via the NVAQC, accelerating the adoption of Generative Quantum AI (Gen QAI).
Quantinuum’s groundbreaking Gen QAI system, announced last month, enables data generated by Quantinuum’s quantum systems to be harnessed to train AI systems, significantly enhancing the fidelity of AI models, and allowing them to tackle challenges previously deemed unsolvable. Through this achievement, Quantinuum is setting a new standard for AI training and problem-solving across various industries.
“By combining NVIDIA's AI hardware and software solutions with leading and differentiated solutions from Quantinuum, we’re unlocking unprecedented solutions and accelerating Generative Quantum AI’s adoption across diverse markets,” said Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum.
"Progress toward useful quantum computing hinges on new discoveries," said Tim Costa, Senior Director of CAE, Quantum, and CUDA-X at NVIDIA. "The NVAQC will fast-track the development of useful quantum devices, being the epicenter for breakthroughs made with partners like Quantinuum."
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.
Media Contact:
TOKYO, JAPAN – February 12, 2025 – Quantinuum, the world’s largest integrated quantum computing company, and RIKEN, Japan’s largest comprehensive research institution, today announced the successful on-premise installation of Quantinuum’s “Reimei” quantum computer at RIKEN’s Wako campus in Saitama, Japan. RIKEN has designed, prepared, and delivered a world-class facility for the trapped-ion quantum computer, which will enable generations of high-performance quantum systems.
This state-of-the-art machine is now fully operational, ushering in a new era of discovery and innovation. With its installation at RIKEN’s world-class facility, Japanese researchers now have direct, on-site access to Quantinuum’s cutting-edge quantum computing technology, renowned for being the highest performing systems in the world. Quantinuum’s hardware stands out as the only available system using a unique architecture that physically moves qubits, unlocking new tools and possibilities unavailable on other platforms. The exceptional performance and consistency of the system are supported by the stability of the facility's world-class environment, which is designed, built, and maintained to maximize the capabilities of Quantinuum's quantum computers.
Named “Reimei,” which translates into “dawn” in Japanese, this powerful quantum computer symbolizes the incredible potential of quantum technology and integrated hybrid computational platforms. The trapped-ion quantum computer by Quantinuum will work in harmony with RIKEN’s famed Japanese flagship supercomputer Fugaku, creating a cutting-edge quantum-HPC hybrid platform designed to tackle computations that surpasses the capabilities of traditional supercomputers—an exciting leap forward for scientific research.
This groundbreaking installation is part of an ambitious project commissioned by the New Energy and Industrial Technology Development Organization (NEDO), a national research and development entity under Japan’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
Looking ahead, the next phase of this collaboration will focus on the integration of a quantum-HPC hybrid platform in 2025. Quantinuum is excited to team up with RIKEN and other partners to optimize operations within this innovative hybrid environment.
Additionally, Quantinuum will continue collaborating with RIKEN researchers to advance scientific discovery across various applications. The company will work with local suppliers to enhance the quantum supply chain and foster growth within the Japanese quantum computing ecosystem through customized, in-person workshops and tutorials.
Dr. Mitsuhisa Sato, Division Director of the Quantum-HPC Hybrid Platform Division, RIKEN Center for Computational Science, said: “Reimei’s high-fidelity qubits and all-to-all connectivity will significantly enhance the research possibilities of our quantum-HPC hybrid platform. We are thrilled to explore new frontiers in scientific research on quantum-HPC hybrid applications by using the Quantinuum system with our Fugaku.”
Dr. Rajeeb Hazra, President and CEO of Quantinuum, emphasized the significance of this milestone: “This installation represents a pivotal moment for our global strategy, marking the first on-site deployment of our quantum technology outside the U.S. We are eager to collaborate with RIKEN’s exceptional researchers, whose expertise will be instrumental in driving unprecedented scientific breakthroughs.”
About RIKEN
RIKEN, a National Research and Development Agency, is Japan’s largest comprehensive research institution renowned for high-quality research in a diverse range of scientific disciplines. Founded in 1917, initially as a private research foundation, RIKEN has grown rapidly in size and scope, today encompassing a network of world-class research centers and institutes across Japan.
About Quantinuum
Quantinuum, the world’s largest and leading 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.
For more information, please visit the website at www.quantinuum.com