Ethereum researchers say post-quantum account protection may be added without touching the chain’s core protocol. The proposed route uses ERC-4337 smart accounts, allowing users to opt into quantum-resistant protection at the account level. According to Ethereum Foundation contributor Nico, the cost on Ethereum’s Layer 1 testnet is about $0.07 per account.
Account abstraction is the proposed path for early protection
The approach is tied to the Ethereum Foundation’s Kohaku project. Today, standard Ethereum accounts rely on ECDSA signatures, and researchers have long warned that sufficiently advanced quantum computers could eventually break that system. Kohaku explores replacing conventional signatures with post-quantum alternatives at the account layer, which means individual wallets could gain protection without a hard fork or a network-wide upgrade.
The design has completed an initial review with Fable. More audits are still planned before any broader rollout. Researchers also stressed that this is a proposal, not a live feature already deployed on Ethereum.
SPHINCS+ verification was estimated at around 150,000 gas
A separate proposal on the Ethereum research forum looked at SPHINCS+, a post-quantum signature scheme selected by NIST. That work suggests Ethereum can verify SPHINCS+ signatures directly inside the Ethereum Virtual Machine, giving the network a possible way to support post-quantum checks before protocol-level changes arrive.
The estimate in the proposal puts one SPHINCS+ verification at about 150,000 gas. At current gas prices, that works out to roughly $0.07 per verification. Researchers presented the figure as evidence that post-quantum security on Ethereum can be practical, at least for account-level defenses.
Ethereum Foundation is targeting broader readiness around 2029
The Ethereum Foundation formally launched its Post-Quantum Security team in January 2026. The initiative is led by Thomas Coratger, while Justin Drake has named post-quantum security as a major research priority. Project details say the team holds developer meetings every two weeks and backs research incentives tied to quantum-resistant infrastructure.
Researchers are currently aiming for broader protocol readiness for post-quantum signatures around 2029. Account-level protection, though, could arrive earlier through smart contract wallets. The Foundation also said Kohaku combines quantum resistance with privacy-focused features as part of a wider security roadmap.