Near Protocol is taking a decisive step toward post-quantum security, announcing plans to implement quantum-resistant signatures on its testnet by the end of the second quarter of 2026. This move, driven by the protocol’s core developer Near One, aims to address the long-term threat that quantum computing poses to blockchain cryptography.
Anton Pieyev, CTO of Near One, detailed the risks in a recent briefing, explaining that quantum computers could eventually break widely used algorithms like Ed25519 and secp256k1, making it impossible to verify true asset ownership. While practical quantum attacks are not immediate, blockchain networks must prepare decades in advance to protect assets held today.
The upgrade will adopt FIPS-204 (also known as ML-DSA), a lattice-based digital signature standard approved by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2024. NEAR’s unique account model, which uses human-readable names and rotatable access keys, allows users to migrate to quantum-safe signing without changing their account addresses—an advantage over Bitcoin or Ethereum.
After the testnet deployment, users and developers will be able to test larger keys, new signing flows, and wallet integrations. Near One is collaborating with wallet providers, including Ledger, to support post-quantum signing on both software and hardware wallets. The team is also researching quantum-safe Chain Signatures for NEAR Intents, which currently enable cross-chain interoperability across over 35 blockchains.
The announcement fueled a price rally for NEAR, which surged approximately 20% from its May 4 level of $1.2512 to trade near $1.5. Derivatives activity rose sharply, with futures volume exceeding $834 million and open interest climbing above $320 million. The daily RSI moved above 60, indicating strong buying pressure but staying below overheated territory. NEAR had been range-bound between $1.30 and $1.60 since February, and traders now watch for a breakout toward $2 and the $2.80 – $3 zone.
