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Post quantum cryptography tools are available, but early adoption may reduce blockchain performance.
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Hoskinson believes that timing and hardware readiness are more important than cryptographic availability.
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Uncertain quantum timelines forces networks to balance future efficiency against current security.
Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, has warned that building blockchain networks to support post-quantum cryptography requires clear performance trade-offs. He argues that the key question developers should ask is not if the tools exist but when they will be practical.
Hoskinson, in a comment on the debate about quantum-resistant upgrades that is raging, said that cryptographic standards to withstand future attacks are already available. He did warn that deploying them too soon could result in a reduction in network efficiency, especially if the supporting hardware isn’t yet available.
The Post-Quantum Debate is Framed by Timing, not Tools
Hoskinson cited the post-quantum encryption standards released by the National Institute of Standards and Technology in 2024, noting that technology is no longer theoretical. He said that the real concern is the operational costs associated with implementing live blockchains.
Hoskinson said that post-quantum schemes are usually accompanied by much larger proofs, and slower processing. He said that this could translate to lower throughput for those blockchains who adopt the standards too soon, effectively reducing transaction capability by an order-of-magnitude. According to him, this leads to a readiness among miners, validators and other stakeholders, which is a crucial factor in determining the timing of such upgrades.
Uncertainty over the Quantum Threat Timeline
Researchers generally agree that sufficiently powerful quantum computers can eventually compromise today’s encryption systems. However, there is no consensus as to when this capability will be realized. Estimates vary from a few to over a decade. Protocol designers must balance long-term security with near-term performance.
Hoskinson said that independent benchmarks should be used to assess quantum progress, rather than corporate announcements. He highlighted the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency Quantum Benchmarking Initiative which evaluates competing quantum computing approaches to determine if they can deliver practical results. He described the program’s objective benchmarking as a way to determine when quantum systems could pose a real danger.
Cryptographic Paths Competing Across Networks
Cardano, like most major blockchain networks including Bitcoin, Ethereum and Solana, currently relies upon elliptic curve cryptography. Shor’s algorithm could theoretically break this method if large-scale, quantum computers become feasible.
Hoskinson said that the industry understands how to mitigate this vulnerability, but must make a strategic decision between two primary cryptographic methods. He said that Ethereum is pursuing hash-based systems while Cardano is developing lattice-based encryption.
Hoskinson’s remarks presented post-quantum as a matter of sequencing. Performance costs and infrastructure readiness determine when blockchains should transition from old cryptographic standards to new ones.
Related: Cardano’s PQC Wallet Prepares Blockchain to the Quantum Computing Era
