Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, has issued a stark warning regarding the future security of the network, emphasizing the need for Ethereum to prepare for a coming quantum threat. This warning comes as Buterin advocates for the network's base layer to move towards a state of ossification, meaning a long-term freeze of its core code to ensure stability.
VITALIK WARNS QUANTUM THREAT MAY ARRIVE BEFORE 2028… 🚨
He urged Ethereum to adopt quantum-resistant security within four years and said future upgrades should move to L2s, wallets, and privacy tools instead of the base layer. pic.twitter.com/0XDuqg9wHL
— Altcoin Buzz (@Altcoinbuzzio) November 19, 2025
Buterin's call to address the quantum threat is part of a broader message: Ethereum's foundation should prioritize security and predictability. He stated that the ecosystem is entering a phase where fewer unexpected changes are desirable. A stable base layer, he argued, significantly reduces the likelihood of bugs and lowers the operational risks associated with securing assets valued in the hundreds of billions.
GM
🛡️Quantum computers could threaten Ethereum’s security in 2028.
Vitalik Buterin warned at the Devconnect conference that quantum technology could break cryptography by 2028 and urged Ethereum to transition to quantum-resistant cryptography within 4 years. pic.twitter.com/trO2FbXy1x
— Captain GM (@g13m) November 19, 2025
Despite the push for ossification, the quantum threat remains a critical concern. Buterin warned that elliptic curve cryptography, which forms the backbone of both Ethereum and Bitcoin, may become vulnerable sooner than anticipated. Some projections indicate that quantum computers capable of breaking current cryptographic standards could emerge before the 2028 U.S. presidential election.
A Push for Ossification
Buterin articulated that Ethereum's base layer should begin to solidify. This does not signify an end to all innovation; rather, he advocates for future experimentation and development to be channeled into layer 2 networks, wallets, privacy tools, and user-facing applications.
He acknowledged that Ethereum can ossify at varying paces. For instance, the consensus layer might be frozen while the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) remains adaptable, or vice versa. Currently, the majority of Ethereum's activity already occurs on layer 2 solutions. Buterin views this trend as positive, with Layer 1 serving as the settlement layer and Layer 2 becoming the primary zone for innovation.
Tradeoffs and a Changing Ecosystem
Buterin observed that Ethereum's initial phase of "exploration" has largely concluded. He pointed to the proliferation of memecoins and derivative projects as indicators of a more mature and commercialized environment, suggesting that creativity may have been somewhat impacted.
Vitalik Buterin shares what he hopes to accomplish in the next 10 years with Ethereum
– ‘Finish’ the technical roadmap
– Make privacy a default part of the experience
– Have some form of self custody
– Formal verification on everything
– Finance happening on Ethereum by default pic.twitter.com/NonWC9TWIV— Jack (@Jackkk) August 8, 2025
The Quantum Deadline
The transition to quantum-resistant cryptography will necessitate extensive coordination across the entire ecosystem. If Ethereum embraces ossification, the core protocol may remain unchanged while upgrades are implemented at the network's periphery. However, Buterin warned that this essential work must commence promptly, as cryptographic assumptions can no longer be guaranteed to hold indefinitely.
AltcoinBuzz recently featured an article detailing Buterin's aspirations for Ethereum over the next decade.