Ethlabs proposes moving Ethereum's quantum-resistance target to 2027

What Ethlabs proposes

Ethlabs, a non-profit set up by former Ethereum Foundation researchers, published a proposal on 11 November 2026 to move Ethereum's transition to quantum-resistant cryptography forward to 2027. The document, called pqai27, appeared on the Ethereum Magicians forum.

The group argues that artificial intelligence is speeding up mathematical research and the discovery of software vulnerabilities, which in its view requires the current security schedule to be reassessed. According to the proposal, AI makes it easier to solve mathematical problems and to find flaws in software, and that affects how blockchain networks plan their security.

Ethlabs does not claim that Ethereum's existing cryptography has been broken or that the network is under attack from quantum computers today.

Two stages for 2027

The proposal defines two levels of readiness for 2027. The first, pqai-ready, covers preparing Ethereum's consensus mechanism for post-quantum security and finding a migration path that lets users protect their accounts. At this stage the network should keep its current capacity and be able to keep running securely at lower capacity if a serious cryptographic threat appears.

The second stage, pqai-scaled, aims at full-scale operation of post-quantum secure transactions and data availability mechanisms. Ethlabs describes this as the more ambitious target for 2027. There is no firm commitment that both stages will be completed by the same date.

Ethlabs also wants client software that is more resistant to AI-assisted attacks. Its approach favours mathematically verified software components, the use of several different client implementations and cryptographic methods that rest on fewer assumptions.

Changes to the upgrade schedule

One concrete consequence concerns Ethereum's upcoming Hegotá network upgrade. Ethlabs said it would withdraw the quick slots work, which aims to shorten block production intervals, from the Hegotá scope and redirect development resources to the pqai27 goals. It argues that work on Frames, which relates to account security, should keep its priority.

The group supports proceeding with the Glamsterdam upgrade under the current plan.

For the proposal to become part of Ethereum's official roadmap, core developers need to assess it technically and coordinate. Ethlabs' publication alone does not amount to a final protocol decision.

Why 2027

Ethlabs points to other organisations shortening their own timelines. It cites the U.S. government moving its target for quantum-risk preparation from 2035 to 2030, and Google's preparations aimed at 2029. The Ethereum Foundation had previously moved its own post-quantum readiness target to 2028.

Whether core developers adopt the 2027 date is the open question. If they do, the timetable for some performance improvements could change. The technical complexity of the transition and the network's decentralised structure may make fast decisions difficult.