StarkWare has unveiled a three-phase roadmap to make its Starknet blockchain resistant to quantum computing threats, aiming to replace elliptic-curve cryptography with post-quantum alternatives within months.
The plan centers on integrating quantum-safe signatures such as Falcon-512 and rolling out migration tools for existing contracts, marking one of the more concrete efforts in the blockchain sector to address future quantum risks.
Three-phase transition to quantum safety
The first phase introduces BLAKE2 hashing across core network components, including state commitments and contract addresses. The second phase focuses on migration utilities to help older contracts transition to the new cryptographic standards. The final phase targets dependencies linked to Ethereum, including bridges and blob data access, as that ecosystem also moves toward quantum-safe infrastructure.
StarkWare said the roadmap builds on Starknet’s existing use of zero-knowledge STARK proofs, which rely on hash-based cryptography already considered resistant to quantum attacks. The remaining task is to remove all elliptic-curve elements still used in transaction validation.
Industry reliance on elliptic curves under scrutiny
Chief executive Eli Ben-Sasson said the main barrier to quantum-safe systems is adoption, not technology. He warned that reliance on elliptic-curve cryptography across the industry could become a critical vulnerability as quantum computing advances, describing it as an “elliptical illusion.”
Elliptic-curve cryptography currently underpins transaction signatures and ownership verification on major blockchains including Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana.
Bitcoin research highlights alternative approach
Separate research by StarkWare’s Levy in early 2026 proposed a quantum-safe Bitcoin framework known as QSB, which replaces elliptic-curve signatures with hash-based Lamport signatures while maintaining compatibility with Bitcoin’s existing protocol.
According to Levy, the design achieves about 118-bit second pre-image resistance even under quantum threat models and operates within Bitcoin’s current script limits, suggesting a path toward quantum resilience without requiring fundamental changes to the network.
Growing urgency across technology and policy
The push toward post-quantum security is accelerating beyond blockchain. Governments are setting firm timelines, including a U.S. directive requiring federal systems to adopt quantum-resistant encryption by 2030. Concerns about “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks, where encrypted data is collected today for future decryption, are adding urgency.
At the same time, the post-quantum cryptography market is projected to expand तेजी, with estimates rising from about $2.2 billion in 2026 to over $20 billion by 2033, reflecting a broader industry shift.
Recent research has also intensified concerns. A study from Google’s Quantum AI team suggested that breaking current elliptic-curve systems, including those used by Bitcoin, may require significantly fewer quantum resources than previously estimated.
Focus shifts to execution
For market participants, the emphasis is shifting from theoretical readiness to actual deployment. Networks that implement measurable upgrades such as new hashing systems and contract migration tools are beginning to stand out as the industry prepares for the long-term impact of quantum computing.
Concerned about quantum threats to crypto? Deepen your understanding of blockchain security with our guide: explore zero-knowledge rollups today.
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