Vitalik Warns of Quantum Threat as Ethereum Unveils ‘Strawmap’

Vitalik Buterin outlines quantum risks as Ethereum unveils Strawmap targeting 10K TPS, faster finality, and post-quantum security upgrades.

Vitalik Buterin has warned that quantum computing could threaten core parts of Ethereum as the Ethereum Foundation introduced its long-term “Strawmap.”

The roadmap sets out planned upgrades through 2029 and focuses on quantum resistance, faster finality, and higher throughput.

The proposal outlines gradual protocol changes without disrupting the network.

Quantum Risks Across Ethereum Layers

Vitalik Buterin identified four areas where quantum computers could pose risks to Ethereum.

These include BLS signatures in consensus and KZG commitments in data availability.

He also cited ECDSA signatures for externally owned accounts and certain application-layer proofs. He stated that each part can be replaced step by step.

He proposed replacing BLS signatures with hash-based signatures such as Winternitz variants. He added that STARKs could support aggregation under a lean consensus model.

Before lean finality, Ethereum may adopt a lean available chain with fewer signatures per slot. This approach would reduce aggregation pressure.

Buterin noted that hash function choice remains critical for security and speed. He said traditional hashes may be too slow for this purpose.

Vitalik also referred to Poseidon2 and BLAKE3 as possible options. He explained that any choice must balance performance and security.

Ethereum Strawmap and Upgrade Timeline

Researcher Justin Drake presented the Ethereum Strawmap as a coordination framework.

The plan outlines seven projected forks through 2029. It assumes a six-month upgrade cycle. The roadmap covers consensus, data, and execution layers.

The Strawmap sets five core targets for Ethereum’s future development. These include fast Layer 1 performance and post-quantum security.

It also targets gigagas throughput on Layer 1 and teragas scaling on Layer 2. Private Layer 1 transfers are also listed.

The roadmap projects 10,000 transactions per second on Layer 1. It also targets 10 million transactions per second across Layer 2 networks.

Finality could fall between six and 16 seconds using a one-round BFT algorithm called Minimmit. Slot times may gradually drop from 12 seconds to two seconds.

Related Reading: Ethereum Reclaims $2,000: Is a Surge to $2,400 Now Inevitable?

Account Abstraction and Proof Changes

For externally owned accounts, Buterin referred to native account abstraction under EIP-8141.

This design would allow accounts to adopt quantum-resistant signature schemes. He noted that hash-based signatures currently require about 200,000 gas to verify. ECDSA verification costs around 3,000 gas.

He also discussed lattice-based signatures as another option. At present, they verify inefficiently on Ethereum.

Proposed vectorized math precompiles could improve efficiency. These would support operations such as number theoretic transforms and dot products.

Zero-knowledge proof systems face similar cost concerns. A ZK-SNARK consumes up to 500,000 gas for verification.

A quantum-resistant STARK may require close to 10 million gas. Buterin said validation frames under EIP-8141 could allow off-chain aggregation. Verified bundles could then be posted as a single block-level proof.

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