Mentor/s
Nelson Gonzalez
Participation Type
Paper Talk
Abstract
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are poised to form a foundation of future finance, but their mainstream adoption is impeded by critical usability and security challenges. Users today struggle with managing cryptographic keys and maintaining privacy, leading to frequent losses and breaches . At the same time, rapid advances in quantum computing threaten to undermine the cryptographic primitives (e.g., ECDSA, RSA) underpinning blockchain systems . This paper explores how to enhance the usable security and privacy of cryptocurrencies in light of the looming quantum era. We review the state of usable security in cryptocurrencies, highlighting issues such as poor wallet UX, human errors in key management, and privacy misconceptions . We then assess the current progress in quantum computing and its realistic threats to blockchain security, detailing how Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms could break popular digital signature schemes and weaken hash and symmetric algorithms. Quantum-vulnerable methods (ECDSA, RSA, etc.) are discussed alongside emerging post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions. We survey ongoing developments in PQC – including lattice-based and hash-based signatures – that are practical for blockchain use , and review transition strategies for upgrading existing cryptocurrencies to quantum-resistant schemes . Throughout, we emphasize human-centric security design, examining how wallet design, key recovery mechanisms, and user education can be improved to facilitate security without sacrificing usability. We present data-driven insights and include figures illustrating the scope of the problem and the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Our analysis, drawing on insights from 22 recent studies, underscores that proactively integrating usable security frameworks with post-quantum solutions is essential to safeguard the future of decentralized finance. We conclude with recommendations for researchers and practitioners to collaboratively advance the security, privacy, and usability of cryptocurrency systems before large-scale quantum computers become a reality.
College and Major available
Cybersecurity
Academic Level
Undergraduate student
Location
Session 10: Digital Commons & West 223J
Start Day/Time
4-25-2025 9:30 AM
End Day/Time
4-25-2025 10:45 AM
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial 4.0 License
Prize Categories
Most Scholarly Impact or Potential, Most Creative, Best Writing
Enhancing Privacy and Usability in Quantum-Resistant Cryptocurrencies
Session 10: Digital Commons & West 223J
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin and Ethereum are poised to form a foundation of future finance, but their mainstream adoption is impeded by critical usability and security challenges. Users today struggle with managing cryptographic keys and maintaining privacy, leading to frequent losses and breaches . At the same time, rapid advances in quantum computing threaten to undermine the cryptographic primitives (e.g., ECDSA, RSA) underpinning blockchain systems . This paper explores how to enhance the usable security and privacy of cryptocurrencies in light of the looming quantum era. We review the state of usable security in cryptocurrencies, highlighting issues such as poor wallet UX, human errors in key management, and privacy misconceptions . We then assess the current progress in quantum computing and its realistic threats to blockchain security, detailing how Shor’s and Grover’s algorithms could break popular digital signature schemes and weaken hash and symmetric algorithms. Quantum-vulnerable methods (ECDSA, RSA, etc.) are discussed alongside emerging post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions. We survey ongoing developments in PQC – including lattice-based and hash-based signatures – that are practical for blockchain use , and review transition strategies for upgrading existing cryptocurrencies to quantum-resistant schemes . Throughout, we emphasize human-centric security design, examining how wallet design, key recovery mechanisms, and user education can be improved to facilitate security without sacrificing usability. We present data-driven insights and include figures illustrating the scope of the problem and the effectiveness of proposed solutions. Our analysis, drawing on insights from 22 recent studies, underscores that proactively integrating usable security frameworks with post-quantum solutions is essential to safeguard the future of decentralized finance. We conclude with recommendations for researchers and practitioners to collaboratively advance the security, privacy, and usability of cryptocurrency systems before large-scale quantum computers become a reality.
Students' Information
Samuel Oakes, Cybersecurity, Class of '26