- Ethereum co-founder, Vitalik Buterin, has shared his belief that the best strategies for quantum-proofing are based on recursive STARK protocols.
- Buterin has been working on quantum-resistant account abstracted wallet codes since 2017, and he encourages the blockchain industry to ensure current decisions are compatible with a quantum-resistant future.
- The discussion was prompted by ChainSafe’s co-founder, Gregory Markou, who initiated a conversation on the 3074 competitor, EIP-7702, authored by Buterin.
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, shares his insights on quantum-proofing strategies, emphasizing the importance of recursive STARK protocols and the need for a quantum-resistant future in the blockchain industry.
Buterin’s Quantum-Proofing Strategies
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, recently expressed his belief that the most effective strategies for quantum-proofing are rooted in recursive STARK protocols. He has been developing quantum-resistant account abstracted wallet codes since 2017, and he believes that by constructing efficient STARK protocols, blockchain developers can create signature aggregation with these protocols serving as the foundation.
Preparing for a Quantum-Resistant Future
Buterin further emphasized that with a projected timeline of ten to twenty years for quantum computing, the most prudent course of action would be to immediately begin developing the foundational infrastructure, which he identifies as recursive STARK protocols. He also urged the blockchain industry to ensure that decisions made now are forward-compatible with a quantum-resistant future. He cited a protocol on Github with the code 4337, noting that it is forward-compatible with quantum-resistance in more ways than one. The protocol’s aggregation feature is optional for now, but Buterin suspects it will become essential due to the higher base overhead of hash-based signatures.
Response to Gregory Markou
The discussion was prompted by Gregory Markou, co-founder of ChainSafe, who initiated a conversation on the 3074 competitor, EIP-7702, authored by Buterin. Markou considered the specification to be good, noting that it addresses a significant hurdle of 3074, assumed to be the special signing requirements. However, Markou disagreed with the use of quantum computing as a counter-argument, arguing that many people have repeatedly used it without proposing a viable solution. He cited James Prestwich, co-founder of Nomad, who suggested that if quantum computing is a genuine concern rather than a political blocker, then some extreme actions are already necessary.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Buterin’s insights highlight the importance of preparing for a quantum-resistant future in the blockchain industry. His emphasis on the development of efficient STARK protocols and forward-compatible decisions underscores the need for proactive strategies in the face of the imminent advent of quantum computing. As the discussion continues, it is clear that the industry must consider and address these concerns to ensure its long-term viability and security.
