2 weeks ago
10
Key Takeaways
- ML-DSA-44 replaces ECDSA; signature size grows from 65 bytes to 2,420 bytes, +37x.
- Block size at 2,000 TPS grows from ~130 KB to ~2 MB, +18x, driven by signature size.
- Cross-region TPS falls approximately 40% in testing.
- Existing addresses, RPCs, SDKs, and wallets remain compatible.
What the upgrade replaces and why
The existing ECDSA algorithm using the secp256k1 curve is computationally efficient but theoretically vulnerable to sufficiently powerful quantum computers. Based on publicly documented cryptographic research, that vulnerability stems from quantum algorithms capable of attacking the mathematical foundations elliptic curve schemes depend on. The upgrade replaces it with ML-DSA-44, a lattice-based scheme standardized under NIST FIPS 204. Consensus vote aggregation moves from BLS aggregate signatures to pqSTARK, where a single proof covers all validator signatures. Existing addresses, RPCs, SDKs, and wallets remain compatible.
English (US)