• blockchain
• digital signature
• ECDSA
• Ethereum
• post-quantum cryptography
• quantum computing

Blockchain technology has emerged as a revolutionary concept, providing a decentralized and transparent framework for secure and tamper-resistant transactions. The adoption of blockchain has proliferated across various industries, showcasing its potential to transform traditional systems and enhance trust in digital transactions.

However, the advent of quantum computing poses a significant threat to the security foundations of blockchain networks. Quantum computers, which leverage the principles of quantum mechanics, have the potential to break widely used asymmetric cryptographic algorithms. This makes blockchain networks vulnerable to signatures forgery and, more specifically transaction manipulation. The perceived vulnerability of these foundational cryptographic techniques raises questions about the long-term viability of blockchain systems and the necessity for the integration of post-quantum secure alternatives.

In response to the impending post-quantum threats, the focus of this master's thesis revolves around the study and application of quantum-resistant cryptographic techniques to blockchain ecosystems. The project aims to explore and integrate post-quantum cryptographic algorithms that can withstand the computational power of quantum computers, analyze the results, draw conclusions and propose improvements. By targeting the Ethereum blockchain, the research will analyze the feasibility and performance of these alternative algorithms within a real-world blockchain environment.