StarkWare CEO’s Five-Point Plan to Shield Crypto from the Quantum Computing Threat
Coin Newsweek – February 22, 2026 – As quantum computing advances from theoretical possibility toward practical reality, StarkWare CEO and co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson has outlined a comprehensive five-point strategy to address the potential security challenges this emerging technology poses to blockchain networks and cryptographic systems.
Ben-Sasson, a prominent figure in the cryptocurrency space known for his work on zero-knowledge proofs and scalable blockchain solutions, offered his recommendations as the industry grapples with the long-term implications of quantum computing’s potential to break current cryptographic primitives.
1. Recognize the Threat
The first step, according to Ben-Sasson, is honest acknowledgment. “The emergence of quantum computers is a serious problem that must be addressed decisively,” he stated. Rather than minimizing the risk or assuming solutions will emerge organically, the industry must confront the reality that widely used cryptographic algorithms like ECDSA and RSA could be vulnerable to quantum attacks once sufficiently powerful machines exist.
2. Learn and Disseminate Knowledge
Ben-Sasson emphasized the importance of education across the ecosystem. Stakeholders should strengthen both the acquisition and sharing of relevant knowledge, focusing not only on tracking quantum computing progress but also on understanding corresponding defense mechanisms. “We need to study existing post-quantum secure cryptography and make that knowledge accessible to developers, researchers, and decision-makers,” he explained.
3. Take Action or Support Relevant Research
The StarkWare CEO called for concrete action through designation, support, and collaboration with post-quantum cryptography experts. This includes funding research initiatives, partnering with academic institutions, and ensuring that the brightest minds working on quantum-resistant cryptography receive the resources needed to advance the field.
4. Listen to Expert Advice
As the industry moves toward implementing quantum-resistant solutions, Ben-Sasson stressed the importance of deferring to cryptographic experts on technical standards. “We need to clarify the standards and security levels of acceptable signature algorithms,” he said, warning against ad-hoc solutions that haven’t been rigorously vetted by the cryptographic community.
5. Promote Implementation
The final and perhaps most critical step is execution. Ben-Sasson advocated for implementing new signature schemes directly in core encryption protocols, using Bitcoin as a prime example of a network that would need to undergo such an upgrade. Additionally, these quantum-resistant schemes must be integrated into external infrastructure, particularly wallet systems, to ensure end-to-end security.
The timing of Ben-Sasson’s recommendations reflects growing awareness that the quantum computing timeline, while uncertain, demands proactive preparation rather than reactive panic. Major technology companies and nation-states continue to invest heavily in quantum research, and while large-scale quantum computers capable of breaking current cryptography may still be years away, the lead time required to upgrade global cryptographic infrastructure is substantial.
StarkWare, the company Ben-Sasson leads, has been at the forefront of advanced cryptography through its development of STARK proofs, which are already considered resistant to quantum attacks. This gives the company and its CEO particular credibility in discussing post-quantum preparedness.
For blockchain networks, the transition to quantum-resistant cryptography represents one of the most significant technical challenges on the horizon. Unlike traditional systems that can be updated relatively seamlessly, decentralized networks require coordination among stakeholders, node operators, and developers to implement changes that could affect fundamental security assumptions.
Ben-Sasson’s five-point framework provides a roadmap for navigating this complex transition, emphasizing that the time to act is now — while there is still runway before quantum computers become a practical threat.
