Solana launches quantum-resistant upgrade as the blockchain industry accelerates security measures

The Solana Foundation has taken a concrete step toward quantum-resistant blockchain security by deploying post-quantum digital signatures on the Solana testnet.

This move comes at a time when concerns are mounting that the quantum computing threat may arrive sooner than expected.

Solana Launches Quantum-Resistant Upgrade, Deploys Post-Quantum Testnet

The Solana blockchain is the latest network to join the ranks of those remaining vigilant against the quantum computing threat. Following Ethereum and Cardano, Solana is also establishing security measures by deploying post-quantum signatures on its testnet.

“Quantum computers have not yet arrived, but the Solana Foundation is preparing for them. To this end, we consulted Project Eleven to assess our quantum readiness. We are pleased to announce the first step: deploying post-quantum signatures on the Solana testnet,” wrote the Solana Foundation in a post.

This move was made after a comprehensive quantum risk assessment by Project Eleven, a company specializing in post-quantum cryptography and digital asset migration strategies.

The assessment examined how future advances in quantum technology could impact Solana’s core infrastructure, validator security, user wallets, and long-term cryptographic assumptions.

As part of the collaboration, Project Eleven also deployed a fully functional post-quantum signature system on the Solana testnet. This demonstrates that, using existing technology, end-to-end quantum-resistant transactions are already feasible and scalable.

The research findings challenge the long-held assumption that quantum-secure blockchain systems remain a distant theoretical issue.

“It is our responsibility to ensure Solana’s security, not just today, but for decades to come.” reads an excerpt from the official blog, quoting Matt Sorg, Solana Foundation’s VP of Technology.

Sorg pointed out that Solana’s ongoing culture of continuous releases will continue this year, with the launch of a second client and a state-of-the-art consensus mechanism.

Initiatives like “Project Eleven” represent early, concrete steps to strengthen the network and maintain a leading position, ensuring Solana’s long-term resilience.

Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden described Solana’s decision as proactive risk management rather than passive security planning.

Pruden said, “Solana did not wait for quantum computers to become a hot topic before taking action. They invested early, asked the critical questions, and took practical steps. The results show that, using existing technology, achieving post-quantum era security on Solana is feasible.”

How Close Is the Quantum Threat? As Timelines Shrink, Crypto Leaders Remain Divided.

This statement comes amid an increasingly heated debate about how close quantum computing is to reality and the threat it poses to traditional cryptographic systems used by blockchains like bitcoin and ethereum.

Recent research suggests that the timeline may be tightening, with estimates pointing to significant quantum risk within the next few years rather than decades away.

Industry insiders remain divided. Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has previously stated that some believe the quantum risk is overstated. The crypto executive believes that a real threat will only emerge when military-grade standards are reached, which may not happen until the 2030s.

He also warned that quantum-resistant cryptography could significantly increase computational costs and reduce performance.

Other networks have taken a more urgent stance. Ethereum has already publicly stated that quantum security is a priority on its long-term development roadmap. Co-founder Vitalik Buterin warned that if preparations are delayed, both ethereum and bitcoin could face cryptographic threats before the end of this decade.

Beyond Solana, this collaboration also highlights the industry-wide trend toward quantum-secure infrastructure. Experts are increasingly warning that blockchains relying solely on traditional signature schemes could ultimately face risks such as:

• Stolen funds
• Forged validator identities
• Deeper system-level cryptographic failures

Project Eleven stated it will continue to work with Solana and other ecosystem stakeholders. This comes as networks evaluate:

• Migration paths
• Emerging standards, and
• The adoption of post-quantum primitives.

Solana’s testnet deployment shows that the technical barriers to quantum defense are coming down, even though large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking blockchain cryptography have yet to emerge.

Whether the quantum threat arrives in two years or ten, the race for future-proof blockchain security has clearly begun, and Solana is among the earliest actors.