Vitalik Buterin Urges ETH to Adopt Quantum-Resistant Cryptography

Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, warns at the Devconnect conference in Buenos Aires about potential quantum computing threats to ECC used in cryptocurrencies by 2028.

Such a shift signals urgent calls for blockchain upgrades, directly affecting Ethereum and Bitcoin, as industry stakeholders evaluate cryptographic security imperatives.

Ethereum Faces Quantum Threat Before 2028 Elections

Vitalik Buterin asserted that elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) could fail before the 2028 U.S. presidential election due to quantum computing advances. His statement highlighted ETH’s vulnerability, alongside BTC.

The call for transitioning to quantum-resistant cryptography within four years reflects mounting concern over blockchain security. Significant adjustments in protocol security measures are anticipated across affected chains.

“Quantum computers will be able to crack Ethereum’s underlying security model before the US presidential election in 2028… the crypto sector should migrate to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) algorithms.” – Vitalik Buterin

If Buterin’s predictions hold, Ethereum and Bitcoin may face critical security risks, requiring the cryptocurrency ecosystem to prioritize quantum-resistant upgrades.

Urgency in Tackling Quantum Risks in Blockchain

Did you know? Quantum computing threats have lingered in discussions for years, but definitive timelines like Buterin’s are rare, underscoring an urgent need for cryptographic advancements.

Ethereum (ETH), with a current price of $2,914.19, reflects increasing concerns, witnessing a 7.25% decline over 24 hours as of November 19, 2025. The market cap sits at $351.73 billion, affirming its significant presence despite challenges, as per CoinMarketCap.

Implications from Coincu research suggest an urgent reevaluation of regulatory and technological strategies to fortify blockchain systems against potential quantum breaches. Failure to act may lead to irreversible security compromises in the crypto domain.