Sui's development network has processed its first native quantum-resistant transaction, marking a concrete step toward protecting user accounts from future quantum computers. The transaction was signed using ML-DSA-65, a lattice-based algorithm standardized by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology under FIPS 204, and was announced by Mysten Labs co-founder and chief cryptographer Kostas Chalkias on October 13, 2026.
The change shipped in devnet-v1.82.0, released on October 12 under protocol version 139. It adds ML-DSA-65 as signature scheme number 7 alongside Ed25519, the signature type currently used by Sui accounts. Because Sui's account system was designed to accept new signature types without altering balances, contracts, or network history, the quantum-safe feature did not require consensus changes.
Ordinary accounts are expected to receive native quantum-resistant support in Q1 2027, while high-value vaults built as Move smart contracts will use SLH-DSA-SHA2-128s, a hash-based NIST standard, with a mainnet target of end of 2026. A combined signing option is also planned, requiring one current key and one post-quantum key. Through address aliasing, users can switch signing keys while keeping the same address, assets, and recovery phrases.
The performance trade-off is notable: verification on an Apple M2 Max took roughly 23.2 microseconds, comparable to Ed25519, but ML-DSA-65 signatures are about 3,309 bytes—around 50 times larger than Ed25519's 64-byte signatures. Sui's 128 KB transaction limit and programmable transaction blocks are expected to absorb part of that extra data load.
Background: Google Quantum AI's March 2026 estimate, cited by Sui research, suggests a machine with fewer than 500,000 qubits might crack such keys in minutes, while existing machines only have hundreds to thousands. The first Sui quantum risk paper happened in April 2025, with implementation plans published in August 2026. Next checkpoints include ML-DSA-65 accounts reaching testnet before year-end, followed by mainnet deployment in early 2027 pending independent audits.
Market reaction has been muted. SUI traded near $1.05, down 4.17% over 24 hours and 11.66% over the week, with a $4.33 billion market cap. On the 4-hour chart, the token is defending the 200 EMA near $1.03 inside a descending triangle that converges around October 18-19. Resistance sits at $1.11 and $1.28, while a close below $1.03 could open $0.98 and $0.91.
