Proposal for Enhancing Ethereum's Security with Post-Quantum Falcon Signatures and Starknet's Pioneering Achievement

In light of the advancing quantum computing capabilities, the security of current cryptographic standards, particularly those based on the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), is becoming increasingly vulnerable.

The discrete logarithm problem, which underpins the security of ECDSA, is susceptible to being solved in polylogarithmic time by Shor’s algorithm, introduced by Peter Shor in 1994.

This development poses a significant risk to Ethereum’s public key infrastructure as it implies that ECDSA could be compromised by a quantum adversary.

To address this imminent threat and fortify Ethereum against quantum computing attacks, a crypto business, BTQ, proposes the introduction of a pre-compile for Falcon signature verification.

Falcon, a post-quantum digital signature algorithm soon to be standardized by NIST in 2024 (one of the four post-quantum cryptographic algorithms selected by NIST as standards), offers a robust alternative to ECDSA. Notably, Falcon's signature size is significantly smaller than its contemporaries, making it an efficient solution for blockchain applications.

The proposed pre-compile for Falcon signature verification on Ethereum aims to achieve several critical objectives:

• Enable the creation of quantum-safe wallets by utilizing signature abstraction to replace ECDSA with Falcon, thereby enhancing the security of digital assets against quantum threats.
• Ensure efficient on-chain verification of transactions signed with Falcon signatures, maintaining the blockchain’s performance while upgrading its security.
• Support the exploration of advanced cryptographic functionalities such as signature aggregation, which could further optimize transaction processing and scalability.
• Encourage the adoption of quantum-safe cryptographic primitives across Ethereum’s ecosystem, laying the groundwork for a more secure and resilient infrastructure.

In conjunction with this proposal, Starknet has announced a significant milestone in the journey towards a quantum-safe Ethereum.

Completing the first successful STARK-based verification of a Falcon signature, Starknet, a zero-knowledge layer-2 scaling solution on Ethereum, paves the way for the integration of NIST standardized post-quantum digital signature algorithms.

This achievement not only signifies the first step in replacing vulnerable cryptographic primitives with quantum-safe algorithms but also aligns with the recent advisory from major US government organizations, including CISA, NSA, and NIST, on the transition to post-quantum cryptography.

Starknet's implementation of a STARK for Falcon signature verification exemplifies the practical application of post-quantum cryptography on Ethereum, demonstrating the feasibility of secure, efficient, and scalable quantum-resistant solutions.

By leveraging Starkware's technology, Ethereum can benefit from Falcon's security features while maintaining the efficiency that is crucial for blockchain operations. This approach also highlights the potential for signature abstraction and account abstraction, enabling easier adoption of post-quantum signatures across the Ethereum network.

This proposal, alongside Starknet's pioneering work, represents a proactive step towards safeguarding Ethereum’s infrastructure against the looming quantum computing era.

By integrating Falcon signatures and leveraging innovative solutions like Starkware's STARK-based verification, Ethereum can maintain its position at the forefront of blockchain technology, ensuring the security and trust of its platform in the face of evolving digital threats.

EIP: https://ethereum-magicians.org/t/eip-7592-falcon-signature-verification-pre-compile/18053

BTQ Article About Starknet: https://www.btq.com/research-insights/first-falcon-signature-verification-in-starkware-initiating-transition-to-quantum-safe-ethereum

BTQ Layer Q Documentation: https://btq.gitbook.io/layerq-docs/

NIST Chooses Falcon as Standard for Post- Quantum Cryptographic Signature: https://www.inria.fr/en/nist-algorithm-falcon-post-quantum-cryptographic

Special thanks to Christopher Tam !