StarkWare has launched a roadmap to transition StarkNet to post-quantum cryptography, aiming for enhanced security against quantum threats.
StarkWare has unveiled a comprehensive three-phase roadmap aimed at transitioning its StarkNet Layer 2 network to a post-quantum cryptographic framework. This initiative is designed to eliminate reliance on elliptic curves and provide migration tools for existing smart contracts.
1/ Starknet is a bet on post-quantum security.
Today, we’re publishing the roadmap to make that bet real.
The goal? An end-to-end post-quantum secure Starknet before Q-day 🧵 pic.twitter.com/92JGLuCk4K
— StarkWare 🥷 (@StarkWareLtd) June 30, 2026
The roadmap has been described by StarkWare as the "strongest" in the crypto sector, with the team confident that the network can be prepared for certain quantum threats in a matter of months. However, the completion of the final phase hinges on Ethereum's own transition to post-quantum technology.
“This is our path to making StarkNet a safe haven for funds, regardless of what the quantum era brings,” said Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO of StarkWare.
Phased Implementation Details
The first phase focuses on replacing Pedersen hashing with the BLAKE2 hash function for state commitments, contract addresses, and network configurations. StarkWare also intends to implement post-quantum consensus signatures, including Falcon-512. Pedersen hashing, which is linked to elliptic curves, poses risks from advanced quantum computing, while BLAKE2 offers enhanced resilience against quantum attacks.
The second phase will introduce migration tools designed for legacy contracts, enabling existing applications and wallets to transition smoothly to the new cryptographic standards.
The third phase aims to address StarkNet's external dependencies, particularly system calls for bridges and data availability that require Ethereum's post-quantum migration to fully implement changes.
StarkNet's Readiness for Migration
StarkWare cites StarkNet's architecture as a significant advantage, as it employs STARK proofs based on hash functions that are considered secure against quantum threats. However, challenges remain, such as vulnerabilities in Pedersen hashing and account cryptography.
StarkNet's native account abstraction allows for flexible signature logic embedded at the smart contract level, facilitating the use of various signature schemes without the need for a network-wide hard fork. In April 2026, developers launched the S2morrow wallet, which utilizes Falcon-512 signatures.
Ben-Sasson expressed skepticism about the long-term security of elliptic curve-based blockchains, labeling it an "elliptical illusion." He emphasized the industry’s slow response to quantum threats, despite the availability of necessary tools. Market observers note that the risk from quantum computing is compounded by advancements in artificial intelligence.
This transition is critical for the crypto sector, as many blockchains currently depend on elliptic curve cryptography. A sufficiently powerful quantum computer could potentially compromise private keys derived from public ones.
A recent estimate from Google suggested that breaking 256-bit elliptic curve cryptography would require approximately 1200 logical qubits, a significant reduction from earlier projections. The tech giant aims for a shift to post-quantum cryptography by 2029.
With post-quantum migration becoming a focal point for blockchain networks, the Ethereum Foundation has also released its roadmap to safeguard against quantum threats, with foundational infrastructure expected to be ready by 2029. Meanwhile, Ripple has set its sights on post-quantum readiness for its XRP Ledger by 2028, collaborating with Project Eleven for validator testing.
Conversely, developers from Quantus have warned that the cryptocurrency industry remains unprepared for a transition to post-quantum cryptography, as many still rely on traditional signature schemes like ECDSA and Ed25519. The potential of Shor's algorithm to break these systems poses a significant risk as quantum technology advances.
