NEAR Protocol to Enhance Security with Post-Quantum Cryptography by June 2026
- NEAR Protocol plans to deploy post-quantum signatures in its testnet by June 2026.
- The integration aims to protect against potential threats from quantum computing.
- Google’s report indicates that breaking current cryptographic standards requires fewer resources than previously estimated, necessitating urgent action.
- NEAR will adopt FIPS-204 (ML-DSA), which uses mathematical lattices instead of elliptic curves for enhanced security.
- Transitioning to the new standard may increase computational demands due to larger signature sizes—2,420 bytes compared to Ed25519’s 64 bytes.
The move towards post-quantum cryptography reflects NEAR Protocol’s commitment to securing its network against evolving technological threats, as highlighted by Google’s findings on quantum vulnerabilities.
With the planned deployment of post-quantum signatures by June, NEAR aims to bolster its defenses in response to the reduced resource requirements for quantum attacks noted in recent studies. (Source)
