Coinbase’s independent quantum advisory board says some blockchains are already preparing for a future in which powerful quantum computers could break today’s cryptography — and it’s urging the industry to start planning now.
The board’s report stresses that a quantum threat is not immediate: machines capable of undermining blockchain security do not exist today, and such breakthroughs may still be a decade away. But the report also says it has “high confidence” that sufficiently powerful quantum computers will eventually be built, and that they could one day break the cryptographic systems protecting digital assets, wallets and transactions. Given that risk, the board recommends early, planned upgrades rather than emergency fixes down the line.
Key takeaways on network readiness
- Algorand: The report praises Algorand’s staged roadmap toward quantum readiness. Algorand already offers cryptographic tools to support quantum-resistant accounts without protocol changes, and the network recently completed its first quantum-resistant transaction on mainnet. However, Algorand’s block proposal and committee voting mechanisms remain exposed and are still under research.
- Aptos: Aptos is seen as “well positioned” for post-quantum transactions because it stores a user’s public key as account metadata rather than deriving the address from that key. That design means users could update their authentication keys to post-quantum keys simply by signing a transaction — with no need to move assets to a new account.
- Proof-of-stake networks (Ethereum, Solana): The board flags greater exposure for PoS chains because of the signature systems validators use. Solana has already introduced a new signature scheme and offers a migration path where users can move tokens to addresses using the upgraded scheme. Ethereum also has a clear roadmap for quantum-resistant signature upgrades. The report warns that networks may eventually require users to migrate funds to safer wallets, and wallets that remain exposed could lose access over time.
Why Coinbase wants action now
The board frames this as a readiness and migration problem: blockchain teams should design upgrade paths, test transitions, and communicate migration steps to users well before a quantum threat becomes practical. By starting now, projects can avoid rushed, risky transitions if quantum capability arrives faster than expected.
Bottom line
Coinbase’s advisory group isn’t sounding an alarm bell for today, but it is urging the crypto industry to treat quantum risk as a future certainty that requires careful, early planning. Algorand and Aptos are highlighted as frontrunners in preparedness, while other PoS projects have work to do to harden validator and signature systems.
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