Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has raised fresh concerns about how soon quantum computers might threaten blockchain security. During Devconnect in Buenos Aires, he stated that powerful quantum machines could break Ethereum’s elliptic curve cryptography as early as 2028. His warning has sparked new urgency across the crypto community.
Why Quantum Computing Poses a Real Risk
Modern blockchains rely on elliptic curve cryptography to protect private keys and verify transactions. Classical computers struggle to break this system, but quantum computers could solve its underlying math with ease. Buterin estimates a 20 percent chance that quantum-capable hardware could emerge before 2030.
Experts note that once a strong quantum computer arrives, attackers could recover private keys from public keys and forge digital signatures. This threat applies to Ethereum, Bitcoin, and many other networks that depend on the same cryptographic methods.
Key risk factors include:
• Growing investment in quantum hardware
• Progress in fault-tolerant quantum systems
• Increased academic focus on crypto-related quantum attacks
Ethereum’s Plan for a Quantum-Safe Future
Buterin confirmed that Ethereum’s long-term roadmap now includes quantum resistance. Developers aim to shift toward post-quantum cryptography, which uses math problems believed to remain secure even against quantum attacks. Lattice-based methods and hash-based signatures are two leading candidates.
However, upgrading the entire ecosystem will take significant coordination. Wallet providers, exchanges, and smart contract developers will all need to adopt new standards. Migrating old keys safely will also be a major challenge.
Buterin’s message is simple: the quantum threat is no longer a distant theory. Long-term holders, especially those using older keys or cold wallets, should monitor progress on quantum-safe tools. As Ethereum pushes forward, the broader crypto industry may follow, leading to new security standards built for a post-quantum era.
