StarkWare Reduces Cost of Its Quantum-Safe Cryptography Solution by 79%

WHY IT MATTERS

Blockchains like Bitcoin use mathematical puzzles called cryptography to keep transactions secure. Think of cryptography as a very complex lock on a safe — current computers cannot pick this lock. However, a future type of computer called a quantum computer might be powerful enough to break these locks. Companies like StarkWare are working on new types of locks (called quantum-safe or post-quantum cryptography) that even quantum computers could not break. Making these new locks cheaper to use is important because if they are too expensive, networks might not adopt them. While quantum computers that could threaten Bitcoin do not exist yet, preparing in advance is similar to upgrading a building's fire safety before a fire happens.