Quantum Resistant Ledger is funding researchers at the University of Manchester to address a critical vulnerability in current digital security protocols. The grant supports Dr. Bernardo Magri, Dr. Tako Boris Fouotsa, and Dr. Trey Li as they investigate isogeny-based cryptography and the challenges of transitioning to quantum-resistant signatures. Dr. Replacing these schemes, including ECDSA, EdDSA and RSA, represents the most technically demanding part of securing the future internet.
University of Manchester Team Investigates Isogeny-Based Cryptography
The research grant from QRL will facilitate the advancement of these schemes and their practical implementation within blockchain systems. The team’s focus extends beyond simply replacing vulnerable algorithms. They are addressing the operational costs associated with the new standards. This disparity impacts block space, bandwidth and storage requirements for blockchains, creating a direct financial and logistical challenge for widespread adoption.
Researchers are therefore prioritizing the development of more efficient post-quantum signature schemes, aiming to minimize these burdens while maintaining robust security. The goal is to enable advanced cryptographic functionality, such as threshold signing, aggregation and blind signatures, which are currently mature for elliptic curves but underdeveloped for post-quantum alternatives.
QRL’s decision to fund this research reflects a proactive approach to post-quantum security, a concern that the organization has prioritized since its 2018 launch. It has been our foundation from day one. Supporting cryptographers is how we make sure the next generation of post-quantum tooling is built openly and for everyone,” said Dr. Joseph Kearney, Technical Advisor at QRL. This commitment is highlighted by QRL’s existing implementation of hash-based XMSS signatures and its recent adoption of ML-DSA-87 in QRL 2.0, demonstrating a willingness to embrace and integrate emerging technologies.
Bernardo Magri, the Principal Investigator, emphasizes the collaborative nature of the project and its focus on practical application. “We are very excited to collaborate with the QRL Foundation on advancing the cryptographic foundations of post-quantum secure blockchains. Our main goal is to enable the advanced cryptographic functionality that real-world blockchain applications require. Through this collaboration, we hope to help bridge the gap between theoretical advances in post-quantum cryptography and their practical deployment in blockchain systems.” The team intends to publish all outputs openly, releasing reference implementations as open-source code to encourage wider adoption and scrutiny.
The urgency of this work is driven by the impending deadline for migration to post-quantum cryptography. The UK’s National Cyber Security Centre has set 2035 as the target date for completion, with priority systems needing to be updated by 2031. This timeline necessitates immediate investment in research and development to ensure a smooth transition.
Trey Li, Research Fellow and Co-Investigator, highlights the potential for mathematical innovation to address these challenges. “Blockchain is full of hard, real-world problems that pure mathematics can solve. This collaboration gives us the opportunity to turn abstract mathematical ideas into practical tools for post-quantum blockchains.” Li’s work on arithmetic geometry and quantum computing brings novel approaches to cryptographic applications, potentially unlocking new efficiencies and capabilities. The team’s combined expertise positions them to tackle the complex technical hurdles of building a truly quantum-resistant signature infrastructure.
We are very excited to collaborate with the QRL Foundation on advancing the cryptographic foundations of post-quantum secure blockchains. Our main goal is to enable the advanced cryptographic functionality that real-world blockchain applications require. Through this collaboration, we hope to help bridge the gap between theoretical advances in post-quantum cryptography and their practical deployment in blockchain systems.
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