Near One says blockchain networks must prepare for more than private key protection as quantum computing improves.
Summary
- Near One says quantum attacks may make stolen crypto ownership harder for protocols to verify.
- NEAR developers aim to test FIPS-204 quantum-safe signatures by the second quarter’s end of 2026.
- Zero-knowledge proofs could help rightful wallet owners prove seed knowledge without exposing sensitive data publicly.
The research team behind NEAR Protocol warned that future attacks could create disputes over who truly owns stolen crypto.
Near One’s chief technology officer, Anton Astafiev, said networks may struggle to tell whether a transaction came from the real owner or from an attacker. He said, “We won’t be able to tell if someone running a transaction is the rightful owner of the asset or not.”
That risk could force protocols into difficult choices if quantum attacks reach live blockchain systems. Astafiev said protocols may need to block compromised assets or face a “wild west” where attackers can move funds before ownership can be checked.
The warning adds a new layer to the quantum security debate. Most blockchain discussions have focused on stopping quantum computers from breaking current signatures. Near One is also asking how chains can prove rightful ownership after a breach.
Zero-knowledge proofs enter the debate
Astafiev said zero-knowledge proof technology could help users prove they know an original seed phrase without revealing it. That method could support ownership checks while keeping private data hidden.
This approach matters because stolen crypto can move fast. If a chain cannot verify ownership quickly, developers, validators, and communities may face pressure to freeze funds without a clear process.
Near One is also working on a post-quantum-safe signing system for NEAR. The team is preparing to use FIPS-204, a lattice-based digital signature standard approved by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology.
NIST says FIPS-204 specifies ML-DSA, a digital signature standard believed to resist attacks from large-scale quantum computers. NEAR’s testnet rollout is expected by the end of the second quarter of 2026.
Wider quantum response
The NEAR update comes as crypto.news has tracked rising concern across major chains. A recent crypto.news guide said Bitcoin’s elliptic-curve cryptography could be broken by future quantum computers, although no machine can do that today.
Moreover, Solana validator clients Anza and Firedancer have added test versions of Falcon, a post-quantum signature tool. The report said the early work aims to protect validators without slowing network performance.
Coinbase’s advisory board also warned that crypto should prepare now, according to crypto.news. The report said the risk is not immediate, but the industry needs migration plans before quantum computers become strong enough to threaten blockchain systems.
Ethereum has also started long-term planning. As Crypto.news reported, Vitalik Buterin outlined work on quantum-resistant signatures, wallet systems, data availability, and zero-knowledge proofs as part of Ethereum’s security roadmap.
Quantum timeline remains uncertain
Google researchers recently argued that crypto networks should prepare for future code-breaking risks. Google Quantum AI said future quantum computers may need fewer resources than earlier estimates to threaten some cryptographic systems.
Still, the threat remains theoretical for live blockchains today. Current quantum machines do not appear capable of breaking major crypto networks at scale.
Near One’s warning shows why developers are planning early. The issue is no longer only whether blockchains can stop quantum attacks. It is also whether they can prove ownership, protect users, and respond fairly if stolen funds move on-chain.
