NEAR targets post-quantum consensus by 2027 year-end

$NEAR has started rebuilding its security model for a future where quantum computers could defeat signature systems used across crypto today. The work began in Q2 2026, according to Anton Astafiev, CTO at Near One, and Mally Anderson, a writer at $NEAR.

The initial modification included ML-DSA or “Dilithium” to the protocol. Users will be able to store and grant permission to their assets using quantum-safe keys. This protection also extends to assets issued on other blockchains using Chain Signatures and $NEAR intents.

The Meteor Wallet already supports this solution. Ledger and other wallet developers continue integrating it. Anton and Mally explained that the next step is to reduce expenses since post-quantum signatures require significantly more space than classical solutions.

At the same time, Near One explores FN-DSA or Falcon, a smaller lattice signature algorithm, however, it will wait with implementing this one.

The upgrade can protect assets from more than 30 other chains through Chain Signatures, even before those networks make their own quantum changes. Near One is also building Universal Account IDs, planned for the next protocol release in autumn 2026.

The design would avoid tying an account to one signing method and could initialize any code during a transfer. NEP-641 would extend the same structure to off-chain activity. New signature systems could then be added later.