Future quantum computers are acting as a threat to the current blockchain technology, which relies heavily on cryptography such as elliptic-curve signatures.
Hence, to protect itself from this threat, Tezos has launched Quantumnet, an experimental test network. However, it is not the final post-quantum version of Tezos or ready for production use.
Instead, it is a testing ground where the developers can identify problems, measure performance, and refine the technology before potentially proposing it as a future protocol amendment.
Tezos plays the test match
In an email to AMBCrypto, Zaynah Dargaye, Core Layer 1 Engineering Manager at Nomadic Labs, said,
Quantumnet gives us a space to experiment rigorously and in the open on a major topic for the Tezos ecosystem.
He added,
We are doing this work early so that we have the time to learn, iterate and ultimately make sure Tezos is ready for a post-quantum future, with as smooth a transition path as possible. This is just the beginning, and it is particularly exciting to see this work taking shape.
So for now, Tezos is testing quantum-resistant cryptography across multiple layers of its blockchain, and not just user accounts.
Quantumnet uses ML-DSA-44 for tz5 account signatures and Smooth Weighted Round Robin for baker selection. It also tests post-quantum signature aggregation for consensus and ZODA for data availability.
Meanwhile, TzEL is exploring confidential post-quantum transactions separately. That leaves Tezos with several pieces to test together before any change reaches its live network.
Blockchain prepares against quantum threats
This coincided with Ethereum developers targeting the end of 2029 to make L1 quantum-resistant. They planned an intermediate step for late 2026.
At the same time, Bitcoin’s quantum defense has already taken a step forward after StarkWare and the MARA Foundation conducted the first known quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction on the 27th of August.
Final Summary
- Quantumnet is not the final post-quantum version of Tezos.
- Tezos is testing quantum-resistant cryptography across multiple layers of its blockchain.
