[ACP Idea] Staged Transition to Quantum-Resistant Cryptography (AIP-QR-001)

Avalanche Ecosystem
1

Hi Avalanche Community,

I am proposing a strategic roadmap for integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) into the Avalanche network. While our current consensus is robust, the underlying signature schemes (ECDSA) face long-term risks from quantum advancements.

This proposal (AIP-QR-001) suggests a staged migration path to make Avalanche the leader in quantum-secure blockchain architecture.

Key Highlights:

  • Hybrid Signature Model: Validators would sign blocks using both classical (ECDSA) and PQ-safe keys (Falcon/Dilithium) to ensure no single point of failure.

  • C-Chain Precompiles: Introducing EVM precompiled contracts at addresses 0x101 and 0x102 for efficient native verification of PQC signatures.

  • Subnet Modularity: Using Avalanche’s unique architecture to test PQ-only environments before mainnet enforcement.

  • Gas Economics: Initial benchmarks for signature sizes and CPU validation costs.

I have officially opened a Pull Request on the Avalanche ACP repository to begin the technical review process.

View the full Technical Proposal & PR here: https://github.com/avalanche-foundation/ACPs/pull/278

I’m looking forward to hearing your thoughts on the gas model, the choice of NIST-standardized schemes, and the migration timeline.

Let’s make Avalanche quantum-ready!

Developed by the Independent Blockchain Research Lab.