- Ethereum has proposed a new deposit contract to support quantum-safe validator signatures.
- The draft could eventually retire BLS signatures as Ethereum targets broader quantum protection.
Ethereum is taking another step toward protecting its network from future quantum computing threats. A new draft Ethereum Improvement Proposal (EIP) would introduce a variable-length validator deposit contract and a mode for permanently retiring BLS signatures.
Ethereum contributor Kevaundray Wedderburn opened the draft on August 24. Thomas Coratger and Tom Wambsgans are listed as co-authors.
The proposal remains unfinished and has not reached a voting stage. Still, it highlights how Ethereum developers are preparing the network for stronger cryptographic security.
New Deposit Contract Could Replace BLS Signatures
Ethereum currently relies on BLS signatures for validator consensus. The system allows large numbers of signatures to be aggregated into a single signature, which helps keep the network efficient.
However, BLS relies on elliptic curve cryptography. Future quantum computers could threaten this type of cryptography by using Shor’s algorithm to solve the underlying mathematical problems.
The draft proposes a variable-length deposit contract to address this challenge. It would also include a mode that can “irreversibly” retire BLS signatures.
The change matters because Ethereum’s proposed quantum-safe signatures would require more space.
The Foundation is exploring leanXMSS, a hash-based signature system designed to resist quantum attacks. Its signatures could reach nearly 3,000 bytes, compared with about 96 bytes for BLS signatures. A variable-length contract would make it easier to support these larger signatures.
Ethereum’s Quantum-Safe Plan Covers More Than Validators
The deposit contract is only one part of Ethereum’s broader post-quantum strategy. Developers are working on four major areas. These include validator BLS signatures, KZG commitments, ECDSA signatures and zero-knowledge proof systems.
Another proposal, EIP-8141, focuses on protecting user accounts with quantum-safe signatures. It is being considered for the Hegotá upgrade and could support account-level protection through native account abstraction.
Ethereum developers therefore see quantum resistance as a network-wide upgrade rather than a single protocol change.
Ethereum Targets Major Quantum Upgrades Around 2029
The Ethereum Foundation made post-quantum security a major priority in 2026. It formed a dedicated team in January to work on the issue.
The Foundation has also supported research through prizes focused on improving cryptographic security.
The broader goal is to complete core Layer 1 quantum-related upgrades around 2029. However, that timeline remains a planning target and could change as development progresses.
For now, Wedderburn’s deposit contract proposal still needs further work. The draft is awaiting editor review and must also be aligned with other validator-related EIPs.
If approved and eventually implemented, the proposal could help Ethereum move away from BLS signatures and toward a quantum-resistant validator system.
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