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Buterin warns that quantum computers could threaten Ethereum’s cryptography sooner than expected and outlines how the network can prepare safely.
Buterin sees a nontrivial 20% chance that quantum computers could break current cryptography before 2030, and he argues that Ethereum should begin preparing for that possibility.
A key risk involves ECDSA. Once a public key is visible onchain, a future quantum computer could, in theory, use it to recover the corresponding private key.
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Buterin’s quantum emergency plan involves rolling back blocks, freezing EOAs and moving funds into quantum-resistant smart contract wallets.