A professor of mathematics and cryptography believes that companies in the cryptocurrency industry should prioritize protecting themselves against the future threat of quantum attacks. Dr. Massimiliano Sala, a professor at the University of Trento in Italy and the head of the Italian Cryptographic Association, warns that quantum computers could easily solve the foundational problems of digital signatures, thereby compromising the security of crypto assets. He suggests that all classical public-key cryptosystems should be replaced with upgraded versions that can withstand quantum attacks, and he advises projects to transition to these systems as soon as possible. While Sala acknowledges that quantum-resistant systems have their drawbacks, such as increased computational demands and larger data sizes, he proposes that blockchain systems initially incorporate quantum-safe elements in less critical areas to avoid disrupting the functionality of their networks. Sala is not the only expert issuing warnings about the dangers of quantum computing. In 2021, a team of researchers at the University of Sussex studied the level of quantum computing power that could pose a threat to the Bitcoin blockchain. They concluded that Bitcoin should be safe from a quantum attack for now, but advancements in quantum computing could potentially change this in the future.
