Tezos Prepares for Quantum Threats with Quantumnet Experimental Test Network
Tezos has launched Quantumnet, an experimental test network designed to prepare its blockchain technology for potential quantum computer threats. The move comes as a response to the growing concern that future quantum computers could compromise current cryptographic methods used in blockchains.
According to Zaynah Dargaye, Core Layer 1 Engineering Manager at Nomadic Labs, Quantumnet provides a space for rigorous experimentation and open testing of post-quantum cryptography. The goal is to refine the technology before potentially proposing it as a future protocol amendment.
Tezos is currently testing quantum-resistant cryptography across multiple layers of its blockchain, including user accounts, baker selection, consensus, and data availability. It's using various algorithms such as ML-DSA-44 for tz5 account signatures and Smooth Weighted Round Robin for baker selection. TezOS is also exploring confidential post-quantum transactions separately through TzEL.
Tezos' efforts coincide with Ethereum developers targeting the end of 2029 to make L1 quantum-resistant. Meanwhile, Bitcoin's quantum defense has already taken a step forward after StarkWare and the MARA Foundation conducted the first known quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction in August.