Cardano’s Hoskinson Slams Hasty Post-Quantum Crypto Upgrades: ’A Recipe for Disaster’

Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson just threw cold water on the industry's rush to quantum-proof its blockchains. In a stark warning, he argues that moving too fast could break more than it fixes.

The Quantum Countdown Is On—But Should We Panic?

Quantum computers loom on the horizon, threatening to crack the cryptographic foundations of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and virtually every major blockchain. The race is on to deploy post-quantum cryptography (PQC) before that day arrives. Yet Hoskinson urges caution, framing the scramble as a dangerous gamble with network security and stability.

Complexity Over Cure

The core of his argument? New PQC algorithms are largely untested at the scale required for global, decentralized networks. A rushed, mandatory upgrade could introduce critical vulnerabilities or crippling inefficiencies—turning a theoretical future threat into an immediate, practical crisis. It's a classic case of the cure being worse than the disease.

A Deliberate Path Forward

Instead of a frantic overhaul, Hoskinson advocates for a phased, opt-in approach. Let new PQC standards bake in test environments and sidechains first. Allow developers and users to transition gradually. This method prioritizes the one thing crypto can't afford to lose: ironclad reliability. After all, what good is a quantum-resistant wallet if the network it runs on collapses under the weight of its own upgrade? It’s the kind of measured, academic thinking that makes Cardano's pace seem glacial—until you remember that in crypto, moving slow and not breaking things is itself a revolutionary act. A stark contrast to the 'move fast and break everything' crowd who treat mainnets like their personal testnets—and investor funds like monopoly money.

The message is clear: in the high-stakes game of crypto survival, patience isn't just a virtue—it's a security protocol.

Hoskinson guides blockchain developers in preparation for future quantum attacks

Hoskinson pointed out that the US National Institute of Standards and Technology made post-quantum standards public in  2024. Following this release, the Cardano founder highlighted that the key issue is based on the costs associated with executing new protocols before validators and miners are ready.

Meanwhile, it is worth noting that while several researchers believe that cutting-edge quantum computers could ultimately break current cryptography, reports from sources reveal that there is still less consensus on when this threat might materialize.

However, based on the recently announced predictions, practical quantum computing could occur anytime from a few years to more than ten years from now.

Still, Hoskinson advised blockchain developers to focus on concrete developments rather than HYPE and corporate timelines when evaluating how soon this danger might materialize.

One of the suitable ways the cardano founder suggested was for them to shift their focus to DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative. According to his argument, this program conducts tests on several quantum computing methods to determine whether they can produce useful outcomes. 

“It’s the best independent and objective standard we can use to see if quantum computers will be real, when they will arrive, and who will build them,” Hoskinson said.

Notably, DARPA has decided that 2033 will be the year in which it will determine if large-scale quantum computing is feasible.

Hoskinson reveals a suitable solution for a major emerging problem in the crypto industry 

Similar to other leading networks, such as Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana, reports from reliable sources have highlighted that Cardano utilizes elliptic-curve cryptography. It is worth noting that such a method is at great risk because of Shor’s algorithm, that is, in the event of the development of very powerful quantum computers.

This news raised tension in the crypto ecosystem as developers ignited heated debates. To address this controversy, Hoskinson noted that the industry knows suitable ways to curb this problem. Nonetheless, he mentioned that this approach is centered on deciding between two different cryptographic methods. 

To further elaborate on this point, he stated that the two options to choose from include Hashes, which is utilized by Ethereum, and lattices, which is actually their preferred choice. 

Concerning Hoskinson’s statement, analysts weighed in on the matter. They highlighted that Hash-based cryptography relies on cryptographic hash functions to produce digital signatures effectively, which are widely recognized as the most secure approach against future quantum threats.

The analysts also pointed out that these systems are straightforward, thoroughly researched, and established to be cautious. However, they are mainly used for signing data and are not preferable for general encryption purposes. 

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