Buterin announces The Splurge to enhance cryptography in preparation for quantum computers

Vitalik Buterin, the co-founder of Ethereum, has revealed that one of the stages in the blockchain’s roadmap is focused on researching “advanced cryptography” to protect it against future quantum computers that have the ability to break encryption. In a blogpost on Oct. 29, Buterin stated that while there is still a lot of work to be done, quantum computers that can break encryption do not currently exist. He noted that any quantum computers currently available are either prototypes or not capable of running meaningful computations. Even if “real” quantum computers are developed, it may be decades before regular people have access to them on their devices. However, powerful institutions could obtain such computers sooner and potentially crack elliptic curve cryptography. Buterin’s thoughts were shared as part of his plan for “The Splurge,” the sixth stage in Ethereum’s roadmap, which aims to address various aspects of the blockchain. The Splurge focuses on improving the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM), implementing account abstraction, optimizing transaction fees, and exploring advanced cryptography. The next update for Ethereum, called Pectra, will include the first step in improving the EVM, with a new version of EVM code called EVM Object Format (EOF). Additionally, account abstraction’s convenience features will be made available to all users, allowing them to pay transaction fees with ERC-20 tokens. Buterin also discussed Ethereum’s transaction fee economics and proposed the use of “multidimensional gas” to better price the blockchain’s resources and reduce the need for performance optimization.