BNB Chain recently released a new BSC Post-Quantum Cryptography Migration Report, stating that quantum-resistant systems could drastically increase transaction sizes and slow down blockchain networks. The findings suggest that network scaling, rather than cryptographic consensus, may become the biggest bottleneck in securing Web3 infrastructure against future quantum threats.
As per the report, researchers tested the upgrade on BSC and recorded clear drops in performance under quantum-safe conditions. The report explains that current blockchain security relies on elliptic-curve cryptography, which quantum computers could eventually break using Shor’s algorithm. This includes widely used systems such as ECDSA and BLS12-381.
In response, BSC upgraded transaction signatures to ML-DSA-44, a post-quantum standard under NIST FIPS 204. The system also replaced consensus vote aggregation with pqSTARK to strengthen security under quantum threats. However, the developers have not yet upgraded peer-to-peer encryption or KZG commitments, which remain scheduled for future updates.
Quantum security creates a scaling problem
BSC chose ML-DSA-44 because it offers a balance between performance and long-term security. The algorithm produces smaller signatures compared with alternatives like SPHINCS+. Developers said stronger options add little value based on current expectations around quantum computing, which they estimate is still at least 10 years away.
However, the migration stress-tested the network’s data limits. Public keys increased from 64 bytes to 1,312 bytes, while signatures rose from 65 bytes to 2,420 bytes. As a result, blocks under the new system became nearly 18 times larger at the same transaction rate.
Tests showed clear performance pressure across the network. Cross-region capacity dropped by about 40% under post-quantum conditions. Larger blocks also slowed data propagation between regions and reduced finality during peak activity. Conversely, the report noted that consensus performance stayed stable, supported by pqSTARK aggregation, which compressed validator signatures at a 43:1 ratio.
Bitcoin developers face similar pressure
The BNB Chain findings come as Bitcoin developers debated quantum readiness. Recently, Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden urged developers to speed up post-quantum integration efforts. He warned that delays could expose trillions of dollars in digital assets to future cryptographic risks. Project Eleven estimates that about 6.9 million Bitcoin sit in addresses with exposed public keys.
The urgency is also mounting. Researchers also recently broke a 15-bit elliptic-curve key using public quantum hardware. While current machines cannot threaten Bitcoin or BSC today, developers increasingly treat post-quantum preparation as a long-term infrastructure priority rather than a theoretical concern.
Also Read: Ranger Finance Winds Down Following Drift Exploit and Funding Crisis
