Solana is testing post-quantum cryptography, but there’s a big catch — security upgrades could slow the network by up to 90%. That’s a serious tradeoff for a chain built on speed.

Google’s latest research is raising alarms across crypto: quantum computers could one day crack current encryption in minutes. While Bitcoin and Ethereum are still in early planning, Solana is already running live tests with Project Eleven to see what quantum resistance looks like in practice.

The problem? Quantum-safe signatures are 20-40x larger, making transactions heavier and slower. For a network that thrives on high throughput, that’s a major hurdle. On top of that, Solana’s wallet design exposes public keys directly, meaning every wallet could be vulnerable in a quantum attack.

Some developers are exploring simpler fixes like Winternitz Vaults to protect individual wallets while larger upgrades are debated. But the bigger challenge is coordination — upgrading crypto networks requires syncing devs, validators, and users, which takes time.

Pruden warns this is a “tomorrow problem — until it’s today.” Solana’s early testing is a step forward, but the clock is ticking.

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