The topic of “quantum computers threatening blockchain security”, which has been discussed for a long time in the cryptocurrency world, has come to the fore again from a practical perspective. Recent tests by BNB developers have revealed that new quantum-resistant encryption systems generate higher than expected data payload.
What Does Quantum Strong Encryption Mean?
It is thought that in the coming years, quantum computers will be able to reach the power to solve today’s standard encryption methods. As a solution to this, a transition to “quantum resistant encryption” methods in blockchain networks is being investigated. BNB, as a large blockchain network that hosts decentralized applications and smart contracts, stood out with the experiments carried out in this field.
Quantum-resistant algorithms significantly increase transaction signature size over classical methods. For example, while a 65-byte signature was sufficient for a standard transaction on BNB, with this new method the signature size increased to approximately 2.4 kilobytes.
Data Load Multiplied, Network Performance Decreased
The impact of this increase was not limited to signature size. The total size of a typical transaction increased from 110 bytes to 2.5 kilobytes. Considering that hundreds or thousands of transactions are collected per block, all block sizes increased from 110 KB to 2 MB. Thus, data traffic on the network increased significantly.
Blocks and transactions are constantly transmitted to each other by nodes connected to the network. The growth of data packets increases the duration of these transmissions, increasing network delays. Especially in blockchain structures operating on a global scale, such delays can cause premature transfer of updates between validators.
According to test results, high-speed transaction sharing in classical blockchain environments showed a significant slowdown with the introduction of quantum-resistant encryption. As the propagation of transactions across the network was delayed, the risks of congestion, temporary chain separations and inefficiency increased.
Transaction Capacity Decreased
The part that directly measures transaction performance is quite remarkable. In tests, the network, which could perform 4,973 transactions per second in the classical environment, could only reach 2,997 TPS (transactions per second) when quantum-resistant signatures were used. This measurement showed that capacity on the network had been reduced by almost half.
These data revealed that focusing only on security is not enough in the industry. In the transition to quantum resistant encryption; It was pointed out that bandwidth should be increased, data compression techniques should be developed and more efficient signature merging methods should be implemented.
What awaits the sector in the coming period?
Another important point shown by the tests is the infrastructure problems that concern the entire sector. So it’s not just encryption algorithms; It seems that many topics will be reconsidered, from blockchain design to network protocols and even the need to balance decentralization and speed.
BNB developers stated that there is still time in the industry for this transformation process. However, it was emphasized that investments should be made in new technologies that can handle more transaction volume in the medium term.
