The Solana Foundation has taken a concrete step towards blockchain security resistant to quantum computers by implementing post-quantum digital signatures on a Solana testnet.
This initiative comes at a time when concerns are growing that threats from quantum computing may arise sooner than expected.
Solana initiates the quantum-resistant upgrade with the launch of the post-quantum testnet
The Solana blockchain is the latest to join the list of networks that remain cautious in the face of the threat of quantum computing. Following Ethereum and Cardano, Solana is also taking security measures by implementing post-quantum signatures on its testnet.
"Quantum computers have not arrived yet, but the Solana Foundation is preparing for this possibility. For this reason, we consulted Project Eleven to assess Solana's preparedness for quantum. We are pleased to announce a first step: the implementation of post-quantum signatures on a Solana testnet," wrote the Solana Foundation in a post.
This move follows a comprehensive quantum risk assessment conducted by Project Eleven, a company specializing in post-quantum cryptography and migration strategies for digital assets.
The analysis examined how future innovations in quantum computing could potentially impact the foundational infrastructure of Solana, the security of validators, user wallets, and long-term cryptographic assumptions.
As part of this collaboration, Project Eleven has also implemented a functioning system of post-quantum signatures on a Solana testnet. This demonstrates that quantum-resistant end-to-end transactions are already feasible and scalable using current technology.
The results challenge the deeply held belief that quantum-safe blockchain systems are still just a distant theoretical concern.
"Our responsibility is to ensure that Solana remains secure not only today but also for decades to come," reads a passage from the official blog, quoting Matt Sorg, VP of Technology at the Solana Foundation.
Sorg emphasized that the Solana ecosystem's culture of releasing innovations will continue this year with the launch of a second client and a next-generation consensus mechanism.
Efforts like those of Project Eleven represent concrete first steps to strengthen the network and keep Solana at the forefront, ensuring Solana's resilience in the long term.
Project Eleven's CEO, Alex Pruden, framed Solana's decision as an example of proactive risk management rather than a simple reaction to attacks.
"Solana did not wait for quantum computers to become a front-page problem," Pruden said. "It invested in advance, asked the tough questions, and took concrete steps today. The results show that post-quantum security on Solana is already achievable with current technology."
How close is the quantum risk? Crypto leaders do not agree as timelines shorten.
The announcement comes as the debate heats up over how close quantum computing is to threatening the classical cryptographic systems used by blockchains like Bitcoin and Ethereum.
Recent research suggests that timelines may shorten, with some estimates indicating significant quantum risks already within the next few years, rather than decades.
Opinions in the industry remain divided. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has argued that the quantum risk is overstated. The crypto entrepreneur suggests that significant threats will only emerge when military-grade standards are reached, potentially in the ‘30s.
He also warned that quantum-resistant cryptography could significantly increase computational costs and reduce performance.
Other networks are adopting a more urgent approach. Ethereum has publicly prioritized quantum security within its long-term roadmap. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin has warned that both Ethereum and Bitcoin may face cryptographic threats before the end of the decade if not prepared in time.
Beyond Solana, the collaboration highlights a trend in the industry towards quantum-resistant infrastructures. Experts increasingly warn that blockchains solely based on classical signature systems may one day face risks such as:
stolen funds
falsified identities of validators
cryptographic issues at a deeper level of the entire system
Project Eleven has stated that it will continue to work with Solana and other ecosystem players. This position comes as networks evaluate:
migration pathways
emerging standards and
the adoption of post-quantum primitives.
The implementation on testnet by Solana suggests that the technical barriers to quantum resistance are already falling. This is despite the fact that large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking blockchain cryptography do not yet exist.
Whether quantum threats emerge in two or ten years, the race to make blockchain security future-proof has clearly begun, and Solana has positioned itself among the frontrunners.
