Ethereum Is Preparing For Quantum Computers With Latest Upgrades
As Ethereum marks its 10th anniversary, Justin Drake warns of future quantum threats and proposes “lean Ethereum” as a path forward. His vision emphasizes scalable, hash-based cryptography to secure the protocol for decades to come.
On Ethereum’s 10th anniversary, developer Justin Drake discussed quantum computing and how it could threaten ETH. He called for “lean Ethereum” to efficiently marshal tremendous resources to counter the threat.
Specifically, Drake believes that hash-based cryptography should take over the entire L1, from signatures to zkVMs and more. A lot of his discussion was highly technical,
How Will Ethereum Counter Quantum Computers?
Ethereum, celebrated its tenth anniversary this week. This has been a moment for reflection on the protocol’s contributions, but also a chance to look towards the future.
Today, senior Ethereum Foundation (EF) researcher Justin Drake described his own vision, and it focuses on quantum computers:
Yesterday Ethereum turned 10. Today, lean Ethereum is unveiled as a vision—and personal mission—for the next 10 years.We stand at the dawn of a new era. Millions of TPS. Quantum adversaries. How does Ethereum marry extreme performance with uncompromising security and…
— Justin Drake (@drakefjustin) July 31, 2025
Essentially, Drake posits that quantum computing will provide major challenges to Ethereum in the future. Heralded as “crypto’s doomsday,” quantum computers specialize in foiling the most sophisticated encryption methods.
The technology isn’t quite able to crack the crypto industry open yet, but advancements may happen in the next decade.
To be clear, many core team members share this view. Vitalik Buterin unveiled The Splurge last year, representing Ethereum’s proactive defenses against quantum computing.
After the 10-year anniversary, Bitget’s Usi Zade also drew attention to this impending risk. Drake’s solution isn’t fully realized, but he has a clear vision for approaching the problem.
Drake claims that a series of cryptography upgrades he calls “lean Ethereum” is the key to defeating quantum computing. This involves, for one thing, stunning new technical capabilities.
To meet the challenge, ETH should handle one billion gas per second and 10,000 TPS on the base layer, and one trillion gas per second and one million TPS on the L-2.
However, that’s not where the leanness comes in. Ethereum needs to continue operating its ecosystem in a decentralized and efficient manner while countering the threat of quantum computing.
Plus, it’s not like this technology is the only threat. Ethereum still needs to be anti-fragile and resistant to nation-states’ interference.
This system must therefore be elegant; “an aesthetic, an art form, a craft,” Drake claimed. He said that hash-based cryptography is the answer.
Of course, this technology isn’t fully realized either, and it may be beyond our scope to get into the weeds here.
Suffice it to say that hash-based cryptography could keep Ethereum’s blockchain performing normally while the execution layer maintains quantum resistance. But it will require a bone-deep restructuring. Brute force simply won’t meet the challenge.
For now, quantum computing is a long way away from defeating Ethereum’s cryptography. Drake and his colleagues hope to keep it that way.
Disclaimer: The content of this article solely reflects the author's opinion and does not represent the platform in any capacity. This article is not intended to serve as a reference for making investment decisions.
You may also like
How much CPO demand will Nvidia Rubin Ultra generate? Bernstein: Optical value per Pod will increase fivefold
Bernstein believes that the co-packaged optics (CPO) and fiber demand driven by Nvidia's Rubin Ultra architecture will surge significantly, with the optical content per Pod rising from $1 million to $5.4 million. This will propel the size of Nvidia's optical ecosystem market to $46.8 billion by 2028 (a 91% annual increase). Although the industry faces supply bottlenecks with InP substrates, the outlook remains positive. The institution reiterates its “outperform” rating for Lumentum, Coherent, and Ciena.
UBS Q3 implements a two-way strategy with gold options, heavily invests in technology stocks, and builds positions in SK Hynix (SKHY.US)
UBS Group (UBS.US) has submitted its Q3 holdings report (13F) as of September 30, 2026.
SpaceX (SPCX.US) reportedly attempts “de-Nvidiaization” at the rack level: developing Kessel cabinets to bypass L6 compute boards, purchasing only chips
SemiAnalysis: SpaceX has developed its own Kessel cabinet, bypassing Nvidia's L6 cards to provide more options for manufacturing its own hardware.
$3.7 billion “data center power equipment prepayments” abandoned! What did "the most active buyer of gas turbines", SoftBank, see?
In the second quarter of fiscal year 2026, SoftBank reported a net loss of $7.1 billion, primarily due to a $3.7 billion impairment charge from a $9.5 billion advance payment for power generation equipment for US data centers—of which about $2.9 billion was non-refundable and effectively lost. The CFO admitted that SoftBank placed orders before the project plan was finalized, and is now conducting a comprehensive review of its procurement strategy. "The most aggressive purchaser of gas turbines has now written off the deposit in this way."
Crypto prices
More
