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Ethereum developers outline quantum defense upgrade for staking deposits

The plan targets the validator deposit contract, which would let the network block the current BLS signature format, potentially safeguarding about 42.4 million staked ETH.

Reported · Written up by our desk · Market Structure

Ethereum developers are proposing a first step to protect ETH staking from potential quantum-computing attacks that could forge validator signatures, according to a proposal discussed by researchers writing for the Ethereum ecosystem and covered by CoinDesk.

The draft focuses on rebuilding the validator deposit contract, the entry point where participants lock ether to qualify as validators. It would add a switch that eventually prevents the network from accepting deposits secured by the signature format Ethereum relies on today, addressing a key obstacle to later adding quantum-resistant cryptography.

CoinDesk reports the proposal would also shift deposits onto a newer framework already used for withdrawals and validator changes, while retiring the older deposit-processing system introduced when staking launched in 2022.

The draft remains early and requires additional protocol changes, with the Ethereum Foundation aiming for around 2029 for core quantum-resistant upgrades. CoinDesk noted that roughly 42.4 million ETH is staked, worth about $104 billion at current prices, and all of it is currently secured by validator keys using the BLS signature format the draft would eventually retire.

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