Vitalik Buterin says there’s a ‘good chance’ AI could break lattice cryptography within two years

Warning of Weakened Lattice Cryptography

Vitalik Buterin, Ethereum co-founder, has warned that AI-driven advances in mathematics could weaken lattice-based cryptography, potentially compromising systems like ML-DSA and Fully Homomorphic Encryption within two years.

Risks to ECDSA Signatures

Buterin also flagged a growing risk to ECDSA signatures, which sit alongside the quantum threat. ECDSA is the signature system that crypto wallets commonly use to authorize transactions. He highlighted that the danger rises as public keys become exposed on-chain.

Advice for Holders and Builders

Buterin advised using hash-based signatures and fresh addresses to reduce the attack surface. He emphasized that there is a 'good chance' that lattice security could be compromised within the next two years.

Context and Implications

The risks discussed here are not limited to crypto. The conversation explicitly extends to secure websites, messaging apps, and VPNs. No immediate market impact was linked to the warnings from Buterin.

Ethereum's Shift to Hash-Based Schemes

Buterin's comments line up with a direction Ethereum had already chosen. The network's Lean roadmap has shifted toward hash-based signature schemes such as WOTS and SPHINCS+.

Broader Implications

The risks discussed here are not limited to crypto. The conversation explicitly extends to secure websites, messaging apps, and VPNs.