Cardano's Hoskinson Warns Crypto Becoming Post-Quantum Will Require Trade-Offs
Charles Hoskinson, founder of Cardano, argues that the main challenge in updating blockchain protocols for quantum resistance is timing, not the choice of cryptography. He notes that effective post-quantum cryptographic tools already exist, referencing NIST standards from 2024, but warns of significant efficiency trade-offs—adoption now would make blockchains about 10 times slower and less efficient. While quantum computers could theoretically break current cryptography, experts disagree on when such a threat will become real—estimates range from a few years to over a decade, with DARPA setting 2033 as a key benchmark for utility-scale quantum computing. Hoskinson describes two main cryptographic approaches: hash-based, used by Ethereum, which is simple and resistant to quantum attacks but limited in scope; and lattice-based, favored by Cardano, which offers broader cryptographic capabilities and potential compatibility with AI hardware. Hoskinson advises a gradual, staged approach to adoption, such as introducing post-quantum-signed checkpoints, rather than immediate, network-wide shifts, emphasizing the importance of evaluating trade-offs and readiness.
