Europol urges early shift to post-quantum security for crypto and sensitive data

The Hague, 7 October 2026

Europol warns that future quantum computers could expose cryptocurrency wallets and decrypt sensitive data harvested years earlier. Two new reports call for early migration to post-quantum cryptography, stronger key management and phased protection of high-value systems, stressing that preparation must begin before quantum capabilities become operational.

Europol is publishing two reports on the security challenges posed by quantum computing, urging organisations, policymakers and the cryptocurrency industry to begin preparing now. The reports examine how future quantum capabilities could undermine the cryptography protecting cryptocurrency wallets and allow attackers to decrypt sensitive information collected years earlier.

The timing of these capabilities remains uncertain. However, this should not be the main concern. Adapting systems and coordinating security upgrades will take time. Therefore, regardless of the nature of the threats that may emerge, crypto-agility should be pursued proactively to ensure that systems can withstand and overcome future threats while remaining secure.

Both reports highlight the need to identify and prioritise threaten assets according to their relevance, and to plan the transition to post-quantum cryptography accordingly, focusing on algorithms designed to withstand attacks from both conventional and quantum computers while ensuring interoperability and coexistence with existing cryptographic systems.