Solana and Aptos prepare against quantum computing with signatures.
- Solana tests post-quantum signatures to protect wallets for decades.
- Aptos proposes an optional SLH-DSA without a complete network migration.
- Grayscale sees little quantum impact on cryptocurrencies in 2026.
Solana and Aptos have begun implementing initiatives to resist quantum computing, focusing on protecting their blockchains against threats that are not yet immediate, but which may become more relevant in the long term.
In the case of Solana, the network deployed a testnet with post-quantum digital signatures following a Project Eleven assessment aimed at measuring the resilience of the infrastructure. The goal is to test, in a controlled environment, how new authentication mechanisms can coexist with the pace and scale required by a high-demand network.
The basis of this testnet is the Winternitz Vault, an optional membership system from Solana that uses hash-based signatures for individual wallets. In practice, the idea is to allow users interested in an extra layer of protection to opt for this type of signature, without requiring the entire ecosystem to migrate simultaneously.
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Solana developers indicate that the goal is to keep the network prepared for decades, even without the expectation that quantum computers capable of breaking current standards will be available in the short term. This is interpreted as structural planning, not a response to an ongoing attack.
At Aptos, the approach follows a similar logic. A governance proposal, AIP-137, seeks to add an optional post-quantum signature scheme called SLH-DSA, based on hash functions standardized by NIST. Ed25519 would remain the standard, while the new method would be available to those who want additional protection.
Since these post-quantum schemes rely on already known tools, such as SHA-256, the impact on the protocol tends to be more contained. Even so, larger signatures can slightly increase verification time and network operational load, a point that is now being carefully considered in tests and technical discussions.
Industry experts, including Adam Back, co-founder of Blockstream, have highlighted that quantum risks may be decades away, but advocate a proactive stance. Similarly, Grayscale assesses that cryptocurrency markets in the short term should not be affected by quantum threats in 2026, reinforcing the preventive nature of these initiatives.
