The Ethereum Foundation (EF) is going all-in on a post-quantum era (PQ) and has unveiled a team to help the chain become more resistant.
In a statement, EF researcher Justin Drake said said that the foundation has declared PQ a “top safety priority” and that 2026 is the time to go all out.
“After years of quiet R&D, EF management has officially declared PQ security a top strategic priority. It is now 2026 and the timelines are accelerating. Time to go all-in on PQ.”
Source: X/Justin Drake
EF’s post-quantum initiatives
Drake noted that the PQ research began in 2019 and several breakthroughs have been made. Therefore, it is time to include it in Ethereum’s long-term strategy.
To this end, a new PQ team has been formed, led by Thomas Coratger with Emile (leanVM). This is being positioned as the backbone of Ethereum’s cryptographic PQ future. The team will hold bi-weekly meetings to scale user-centric security for PQ.
Additionally, EF is making a big bet on hash-based cryptography and is offering a $1 million cash prize to improve its security. Part of the statement read:
“$1 Million Poseidon Prize to Power the Poseidon Hash Function. We’re betting big on hash-based cryptography to take advantage of the strongest and leanest cryptographic foundations.”
The infrastructure side is also progressing smoothly, with PQ developers already focusing on a multi-client consensus system. The formal PQ roadmap will be shared soon, according to EF.
Commenting on the update, Franklin Bi, General Partner at research-driven crypto investment firm Paradigm, said: said,
“The post-quantum race begins. If done successfully and in a timely manner, blockchains can evolve into post-quantum ‘safe havens’ for data and assets.”
Source: X/Franklin Bi
By 2025, Google and Microsoft have made major breakthroughs in quantum computing, a move that some believe may put the inherent risk to blockchain’s cryptographic systems on borrowed time.
PQ era – Ethereum vs Bitcoin
So far, Solana [SOL] And Ethereum [ETH] have moved forward with formal plans to become quantum-proof. However, the Bitcoin community is divided on the path forward in this area.
Some OG cypherpunks love it Adam Back believe the threat is still years or decades away. Major BTC players like Michael Saylor think this will be “figured out” with time. OOthers, on the other hand, believe that quantum poses an immediate risk and is likely the cause of BTC’s recent underperformance against gold and other metals.
For his part, analyst Willie Woo believes that quantum discussions about Bitcoin have been “slow” but have accelerated in recent months.
Source: X/Willy Woo
But if Bitcoin lags Ethereum on PQ, the altcoin will outperform in terms of investor returns. warned Nic Carter, partner at crypto VC firm Castle Island Ventures.
“ETHBTC will have to reach 0.1 before BTC developers recognize there is a problem.”
If so, that would imply a 200% outperformance for ETH over BTC, even surpassing the 2021 bull run level.
Source: ETH/BTC ratio, TradingView
Final thoughts
- Ethereum Foundation has unveiled plans for the post-quantum era, including a dedicated team, developer networks and $1 million in cash to strengthen underlying security.
- Ethereum’s aggressive push to be quantum resistant could see it outperform BTC by 200% on price charts.