Coinbase Report: Algorand, Aptos Lead Quantum-Ready Blockchain Readiness

Coinbase’s Independent Advisory Board on Quantum Computing and Blockchain has found that most major crypto networks are poorly prepared for the threat that powerful quantum computers could pose to their security in the coming years, according to a new report. The board identified Algorand and Aptos as the most advanced in quantum readiness, while other major networks face significant vulnerabilities. The report stressed that while such quantum computers do not yet exist and will likely take at least a decade to develop, blockchain projects should begin upgrading their defenses now rather than waiting for a crisis.

Quantum Threat to Blockchain Security

According to the report, “a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could one day break the cryptography that secures digital assets across major blockchains.” Coinbase Chief Security Officer Phillip Martin stated: “your crypto is safe today. But a quantum computer capable of threatening blockchain cryptography will eventually be built, and the industry needs to start preparing now, not when it’s urgent.”

Algorand’s Quantum-Ready Position

Algorand was credited as one of the earliest networks to introduce quantum-resistant cryptography. The report found that Algorand already offers tools allowing users to create quantum-resistant accounts without changes to the underlying protocol. The network recently completed its first quantum-resistant transaction on its mainnet and has a step-by-step plan for reaching full quantum readiness.

However, the report noted that block proposals and committee voting on Algorand still carry some vulnerability to quantum attacks, and research in those areas is continuing.

Aptos’s Structural Advantage

Aptos was emphasized as being in a good position for the quantum transition. Coinbase clarified that Aptos’s handling of account addresses provides this advantage: instead of being used to create the address itself, public keys are saved as account information on that network. This means a user might only need one transaction to swap in a new, quantum-safe authentication key, rather than transferring money to another account.

Ethereum and Solana Face Greater Exposure

Other significant networks were identified as having higher quantum risks, especially proof-of-stake chains like Ethereum and Solana. According to the report, once quantum computing reaches a large enough scale, the signature systems used by validators on those networks may become targets.

Nevertheless, both networks are making progress. Solana has implemented a new signature scheme that enables users to move their tokens to a new address based on an improved mechanism. Ethereum’s developers have created a roadmap for the next release of quantum-resistant signature enhancements.

New Quantum-Resistant Infrastructure

New infrastructure is being built to address these concerns. The Swiss-based QoreChain Association recently launched a production-grade testnet that uses NIST-standard post-quantum signatures, specifically a standard called Dilithium-5. Most existing blockchains rely on elliptic-curve cryptography, which a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could crack. QoreChain’s setup instead uses Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) for both signatures and key exchange.

Coinbase’s Call for Immediate Action

Coinbase’s report drew a clear line between networks that have made real technical changes and those that have only made promises. Algorand and Aptos have already adjusted their underlying data structures to support NIST-standard signatures today, while other chains are still at the planning stage.

For older networks, this vulnerability poses a form of covert security risk, according to the research. Large asset transfers on a network like Ethereum could be expensive and time-consuming if the quantum threat materializes faster than anticipated, while on Aptos, it might only take a single key change. In light of this, Coinbase urged all blockchain teams to develop migration strategies now, far in advance of the threat materializing.

The board also suggested that users switch to quantum-safe wallets in the long run and raised the prospect that unmigrated assets would eventually need to be revoked to prevent quantum attackers from using them.