The advent of quantum computing threatens blockchain protocols and networks because they utilize non-quantum resistant cryptographic algorithms. When quantum computers become robust enough to run Shor’s algorithm on a large scale, the most used asymmetric algorithms, utilized for digital signatures and message encryption, such as RSA, (EC)DSA, and (EC)DH, will be no longer secure. Quantum computers will be able to break them within a short period of time. Similarly, Grover’s algorithm concedes a quadratic advantage for mining blocks in certain consensus protocols such as proof of work. Today, there are hundreds of billions of dollars denominated in cryptocurrencies and other digital assets that rely on blockchain ledgers as well as thousands of blockchain-based applications storing value in blockchain networks. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based applications require solutions that guarantee quantum resistance in order to preserve the integrity of data and assets in these public and immutable ledgers. The quantum threat and some potential solutions are well understood and presented in the literature. However, most proposals are theoretical, require large QKD networks, or propose new quantum-resistant blockchain networks to be built from scratch. Our work, which is presented in this paper, is pioneer in proposing an end-to-end framework for post-quantum blockchain networks that can be applied to existing blockchain to achieve quantum-resistance. We have developed an open-source implementation in an Ethereum-based (i.e., EVM compatible) network that can be extended to other existing blockchains. For the implementation we have (i) used quantum entropy to generate post-quantum key pairs, (ii) established post-quantum TLS connections and X.509 certificates to secure the exchange of information between blockchain nodes over the internet without needing a large QKD network, (iii) introduced a post-quantum second signature in transactions using Falcon-512 post-quantum keys, and (iv) developed the first on-chain verification of post-quantum signatures using three different mechanisms that are compared and analyzed: Solidity smart-contracts run by the validators for each transaction, modified EVM Opcode, and precompiled smart contracts.

Over the past decade, different blockchain technologies have contributed to the creation of thousands of blockchain networks which have hosted thousands of proofs of concepts and pilots, with generally satisfactory results for stakeholders. However, scalability has been a big roadblock for most of these projects. We believe that the reasons why most blockchain-based solutions do not scale well are that they are built on ledgers that are not properly designed as the instrumental piece of architecture needed by these projects and that it is not clear who is liable for what. There is rarely an upfront discussion about governance, data management and privacy, technical support, operational fees (e.g., tx fees), maintenance, regulatory risks, or sustainability in these decentralized networks. This framework is a set of recommendations that enables the creation of multipurpose network of networks that are robust, reliable, sustainable, compliant, scalable, and have clear definition of accountabilities. The framework can also be applied to both permissionless public and permissioned private blockchain networks, but can only be fully realized in a permissioned public infrastructure. The framework builds on the idea that in order to develop scalable blockchain projects and solutions, it is necessary to switch the conversation from blockchain technologies to blockchain networks.

This paper describes the work carried out by the Inter-American Development Bank, the IDB Lab, LACChain, Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC), and Tecnologico de Monterrey to identify and eliminate quantum threats in blockchain networks.The advent of quantum computing threatens internet protocols and blockchain networks because they utilize non-quantum resistant cryptographic algorithms. When quantum computers become robust enough to run Shor's algorithm on a large scale, the most used asymmetric algorithms, utilized for digital signatures and message encryption, such as RSA, (EC)DSA, and (EC)DH, will be no longer secure. Quantum computers will be able to break them within a short period of time. Similarly, Grover's algorithm concedes a quadratic advantage for mining blocks in certain consensus protocols such as proof of work.Today, there are hundreds of billions of dollars denominated in cryptocurrencies that rely on blockchain ledgers as well as the thousands of blockchain-based applications storing value in blockchain networks. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based applications require solutions that guarantee quantum resistance in order to preserve the integrity of data and assets in their public and immutable ledgers. We have designed and developed a layer-two solution to secure the exchange of information between blockchain nodes over the internet and introduced a second signature in transactions using post-quantum keys. Our versatile solution can be applied to any blockchain network. In our implementation, quantum entropy was provided via the IronBridge Platform from CQC and we used LACChain Besu as the blockchain network.http://www.iadb.org

This paper describes the work carried out by the Inter-American Development Bank, the IDB Lab, LACChain, Cambridge Quantum Computing (CQC), and Tecnológico de Monterrey to identify and eliminate quantum threats in blockchain networks. The advent of quantum computing threatens internet protocols and blockchain networks because they utilize non-quantum resistant cryptographic algorithms. When quantum computers become robust enough to run Shor's algorithm on a large scale, the most used asymmetric algorithms, utilized for digital signatures and message encryption, such as RSA, (EC)DSA, and (EC)DH, will be no longer secure. Quantum computers will be able to break them within a short period of time. Similarly, Grover's algorithm concedes a quadratic advantage for mining blocks in certain consensus protocols such as proof of work. Today, there are hundreds of billions of dollars denominated in cryptocurrencies that rely on blockchain ledgers as well as the thousands of blockchain-based applications storing value in blockchain networks. Cryptocurrencies and blockchain-based applications require solutions that guarantee quantum resistance in order to preserve the integrity of data and assets in their public and immutable ledgers. We have designed and developed a layer-two solution to secure the exchange of information between blockchain nodes over the internet and introduced a second signature in transactions using post-quantum keys. Our versatile solution can be applied to any blockchain network. In our implementation, quantum entropy was provided via the IronBridge Platform from CQC and we used LACChain Besu as the blockchain network.

The Social Protection and Health (SPH) Division of the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) held its annual Regional Policy Dialogue (RPD) Digital Health for All: Latin America and the Caribbeans golden opportunity to improve the efficiency, quality and equity of sector on September 12-14th 2022 in Panama City, Panama. The RPD brought together over 120 participants, including leaders from over 20 countries, vice-ministers of health and directors of technology and communications, and regional and global experts in digital health. The meeting sought to provide a setting to discuss what the IDB and different countries have learned in the past four years of implementation of digital health, structural challenges to scale digital health, and the measures needed to ensure that decisions made today are both sustainable and transformational. The meetings objectives broadly included discussing three topics: 1) how to ensure that digital health adds value in terms of improved efficiency, quality, and equity;2) policy considerations for linking digital health to health outcomes; and3) the future state of our region in terms of digital transformation of the health sector.This report provides an overview of the meeting, its main findings, and the steps that lie ahead on this journey.