The Ledger Podcast Future of Blockchain: Cryptography Facing Quantum and AI
Nov 11, 2025
Charles Guillemet, CTO at Ledger, Matthew Green, a cryptographer from Johns Hopkins, and Ian Miers, co-inventor of Zcash, delve into the urgent challenges posed by quantum computing to blockchain technology. They discuss the need for proactive solutions, the trade-offs of transitioning to quantum-resistant signatures, and the evolving privacy landscape in the age of AI. The trio highlights practical security measures for users while exploring how AI complicates privacy further. A dynamic conversation that balances technical insight with real-world implications!
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Migration Costs Could Stall Upgrades
- Transitioning to post-quantum signatures has heavy engineering and political costs.
- Ian Miers warns larger keys and signatures could make blockchain upgrades rocky and contested.
2035 Timeline Forces Real Planning
- NIST recommends migrating to post-quantum cryptography by 2035, compressing planning time.
- Charles Guillemet notes a decade sounds long but is short for global consensus and deployment.
Fix Today's Attacks First
- Prioritize fixing present, active threats like theft and phishing over distant quantum risks.
- Charles Guillemet advises focusing resources on improving transaction checks and device security now.