Towards building post-quantum secure ethereum
File(s)
Accepted version
Author(s)
Liu, Howell
Wang, zhipeng
Knottenbelt, william
Type
Conference Paper
Abstract
Public blockchains, such as Ethereum and Bitcoin, use the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), specifically Secp256k1, to enable users to authenticate transactions. However, this cryptographic system is relatively vulnerable to quantum attacks, which may become truly feasible in the next few years through quantum computing advances. Existing studies recognize the importance of post-quantum secure signatures, but the actual implementation and transition of post-quantum secure blockchains still require further investigation.
In this work, we leverage pk-FALCON512, a lattice-based and post-quantum secure signature scheme, to replace Secp256k1 in the Ethereum execution client. We analyze the performance and storage implications of this replacement. Our evaluation results show that pk-FALCON512 is approximately 23,000×, 28×, and 3× times slower than Secp256k1 in key generation, signature generation, and signature verification, respectively. Specifically, signature verification, critical for on-chain operations, increases from 24μs to 74μs, and this indicates an acceptable trade-off for adopting post-quantum secure signatures. In terms of storage, pk-FALCON512 needs 15× more space with cryptographic elements, which might increase the average block size by approximately 3.85×. These results show feasibility in practice for integrating post-quantum cryptography schemes into Ethereum for further research
In this work, we leverage pk-FALCON512, a lattice-based and post-quantum secure signature scheme, to replace Secp256k1 in the Ethereum execution client. We analyze the performance and storage implications of this replacement. Our evaluation results show that pk-FALCON512 is approximately 23,000×, 28×, and 3× times slower than Secp256k1 in key generation, signature generation, and signature verification, respectively. Specifically, signature verification, critical for on-chain operations, increases from 24μs to 74μs, and this indicates an acceptable trade-off for adopting post-quantum secure signatures. In terms of storage, pk-FALCON512 needs 15× more space with cryptographic elements, which might increase the average block size by approximately 3.85×. These results show feasibility in practice for integrating post-quantum cryptography schemes into Ethereum for further research
Date Acceptance
2025-03-14
Publisher
IEEE
Copyright Statement
Subject to copyright This paper is embargoed until publication. Once published the author’s accepted manuscript will be made available under a CC-BY License in accordance with Imperial’s Research Publications Open Access policy (www.imperial.ac.uk/oa-policy).
Source
7th IEEE International Conference on Blockchain and Cryptocurrency
Publication Status
Accepted
Start Date
2025-06-02
Finish Date
2025-06-06
Coverage Spatial
Pisa, Italy