# New (Quantum) Foundations for Cryptography **URL:** \ **Category:** cryptography\ **Tags:** theory\ **Created:** [July 28, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://superpositions.com/t/new-quantum-foundations-for-cryptography/49 "2025-07-28T23:41:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![apruden](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/superpositions.com/apruden/32/22_2.png) [@apruden](https://superpositions.com/u/apruden)\ **Post date:** [July 28, 2025, 11:41pm UTC](https://superpositions.com/t/new-quantum-foundations-for-cryptography/49/1 "2025-07-28T23:41:55Z")
**Quantum Mechanics May Be the New Foundation for Cryptography** In a potential major theoretical breakthrough in cryptography: researchers have developed a _quantum-native mathematical framework_ that could underpin future cryptographic systems, not just defend against quantum attacks. The classical hard problems (like factoring or discrete logs) are easy for a quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm. Even today’s post-quantum algorithms (like lattice-based or hash-based cryptography) are still grounded in classical computational hardness. This new paper attempts to create an entirely new hardness paradigm _directly_ from quantum physics—using the structure and behavior of quantum systems themselves as the basis for security. In effect, it’s a “new math” of cryptography that treats quantum mechanics not as a weapon wielded by a potential adversary, but as a potentially stronger foundation to build new cryptographic primitives and protocols. Why it matters: - **No classical assumptions** : If security is based on quantum mechanics itself, it seems more likely to be secure against tomorrow’s quantum adversaries. - **Quantum-native primitives** : Protocols are defined within quantum mechanics itself, rather than adapted to tolerate it. - **Wide utility** : Could be used to create a wide range of cryptographic (beyond just signatures) - **Theoretically interesting** : As an area of research, may illuminate the extent of BQP relative to P and NP, which is an interesting area of complexity theory. Early ideas that still need iteration, but a good reminder that quantum mechanics isn’t just breaking our old locks. It might be giving us the tools to build new ones. [Original Quanta article](https://www.quantamagazine.org/quantum-scientists-have-built-a-new-math-of-cryptography-20250725) ---
**Author:** ![kearneyjj](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/superpositions.com/kearneyjj/32/11_2.png) [@kearneyjj](https://superpositions.com/u/kearneyjj)\ **Post date:** [July 29, 2025, 12:39pm UTC](https://superpositions.com/t/new-quantum-foundations-for-cryptography/49/2 "2025-07-29T12:39:58Z")
It seems logical that quantum cryptography is best for a quantum era, rather than trusting those with classical assumptions. Fascinating article / post. ---
**Author:** ![metapriest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/7cd45c/32.png) [@metapriest](https://superpositions.com/u/metapriest)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 3:48am UTC](https://superpositions.com/t/new-quantum-foundations-for-cryptography/49/3 "2025-08-12T03:48:11Z")
“Why it matters” - GPT “seems more likely” I guess we haven’t made progress on P =? NP then. For quantum cryptography to be useful it needs to be usable by classical computers. If it’s usable by classical computers, is it useful to introduce quantum mechanics? ---
**Author:** ![RyanBK](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/958977/32.png) [@RyanBK](https://superpositions.com/u/RyanBK)\ **Post date:** [August 12, 2025, 2:50pm UTC](https://superpositions.com/t/new-quantum-foundations-for-cryptography/49/4 "2025-08-12T14:50:24Z")
This idea sounds very promising, but there are still many issues that need to be addressed in the future before it can be put into operation, such as: quantum infrastructure not yet being ready, and high costs and complexity. In the next 10–15 years, post-quantum algorithms based on lattices, hash functions, etc., will likely remain a more practical choice in terms of deployment and standardization. However, if quantum technology becomes widespread, “quantum-native cryptography” could offer stronger locking mechanisms and be harder to break even by quantum computers themselves — something post-quantum solutions still cannot guarantee absolutely. ---
**Author:** ![farooqf9](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/superpositions.com/farooqf9/32/31_2.png) [@farooqf9](https://superpositions.com/u/farooqf9)\ **Post date:** [August 13, 2025, 9:28am UTC](https://superpositions.com/t/new-quantum-foundations-for-cryptography/49/5 "2025-08-13T09:28:16Z")
Quantum threats to BTC are no llonger threats ---
**Author:** ![apruden](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex007/user_avatar/superpositions.com/apruden/32/22_2.png) [@apruden](https://superpositions.com/u/apruden)\ **Post date:** [August 14, 2025, 7:48pm UTC](https://superpositions.com/t/new-quantum-foundations-for-cryptography/49/6 "2025-08-14T19:48:37Z")
Because they’re real, or because they aren’t viable? I think the quantum threat to Bitcoin is real because CRQCs are viable in the near (5-10 year) timeframe