Near says quantum attacks need proof of ownership and post-quantum signatures

Near Protocol warns that improving quantum attacks could worsen wallet risk unless blockchains can support “proof of ownership”. Near CTO Anton Astafiev said protocols may have to choose between freezing compromised assets and letting funds move in a “wild west” if they can’t confirm the transaction signer is the rightful owner. Near also points to zero-knowledge proof approaches to let owners prove knowledge of the original seed phrase without exposing it, addressing proof of ownership uncertainty after a theft. The update comes after claims by Google and Caltech that functional quantum computers could enable faster “on-spend” attacks. Near is testing post-quantum defenses for NEAR, including a NIST-approved lattice-based signature scheme called FIPS-204, targeted for a testnet rollout by the end of Q2 2026. Broader industry moves include Ethereum’s Post-Quantum Ethereum team (aiming for protocol-level defenses by 2029) and Solana validator clients Anza and Firedancer testing Falcon signatures. Bitcoin-side discussions also stress starting “quantum-ready” work early, even if today’s quantum hardware remains lab-stage. For traders, this signals a gradual shift from pure encryption to transaction verification risk management—more compliance and security expectations around wallet infrastructure.