Coinbase Sets Up Expert Advisory Board to Shield Blockchain from Future Quantum Threats

Although quantum computing has not yet reached a stage capable of breaking today’s cryptographic safeguards, its eventual development represents a significant long-term threat to blockchain networks and financial systems. Updating networks such as Bitcoin and Ethereum to resist such attacks will require years of coordinated planning and implementation. Recognizing the potential impact, Coinbase has established an independent advisory board to assess the risks posed by this technology and develop strategies to protect blockchain infrastructure before it becomes practically viable.

Strengthening Blockchain Security for the Quantum Era

Coinbase highlighted that leading blockchains, including Bitcoin and Ethereum, currently rely on elliptic-curve cryptography, which remains secure under today’s computing capabilities. However, future advances in quantum computing could compromise this framework, exposing vulnerabilities. Mitigating this risk requires early, coordinated efforts that combine cryptographic research, multidisciplinary expertise, and long-term strategic planning to ensure blockchain networks remain resilient as quantum technology develops.

In line with this approach, a Coinbase spokesperson told Decrypt that the company is establishing the advisory council to encourage early planning across the blockchain ecosystem, support careful evaluation of emerging evidence, and align practical measures aimed at maintaining the long-term resilience of blockchain infrastructure.

Expert Panel Guides Blockchain Preparedness

The board brings together leading experts from academia and the crypto industry to provide guidance and ensure diverse expertise is applied to these complex challenges. Its members include Dahlia Malkhi, head of UCSB’s Foundations of Fintech Research Lab; Ethereum Foundation researcher Justin Drake; Sreeram Kannan, founder of EigenLayer; quantum computing expert Scott Aaronson; Stanford cryptography leader Dan Boneh; and Yehuda Lindell, Coinbase’s head of cryptography.

Among the board members, Scott Aaronson noted that the timeline for quantum computers to reach a level capable of compromising public-key cryptography remains unclear, potentially spanning several years or decades. He added that  “what’s clear is that we do need to be thinking, right now, about the transition to post-quantum cryptosystems, and that we need the ability to react to future events as they happen.”

Board Goals, Expert Insights, and Quantum Readiness

Coinbase intends for the board to take an active role in preparing blockchain networks by

• Creating detailed reports that examine how quantum computing could affect blockchain systems and highlight key developments in the field.
• Offering practical advice for developers and organizations to strengthen defenses against potential quantum threats.
• Delivering timely analysis and practical advice in response to major breakthroughs in quantum technology.

The move has been positively received by industry experts. Anastasia Marchenkova, a quantum researcher and advisor at BTQ, highlighted that Coinbase’s initiative addresses growing questions regarding its approach to quantum computing. She pointed out that early engagement with quantum risks is vital for the enduring security of cryptocurrencies and that Coinbase’s decision to publicly tackle these challenges carries significance within the crypto industry and beyond, particularly as banks and other financial infrastructure firms are starting to factor potential quantum threats into their security strategies.

Beyond Coinbase, blockchain teams are actively developing new security measures aimed at protecting networks against potential quantum threats, gradually updating their systems to maintain stability. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin recommends introducing quantum-resistant cryptography early, long before quantum computing poses a real risk, while Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson cautions that moving too quickly without sufficient hardware support could affect network performance.