AmericanFortress has introduced a comprehensive post-quantum security solution for cryptocurrency wallets through its Zero-Knowledge Proof of Seed Provenance (ZK-PoSP) scheme. According to the technical paper released through the International Association for Cryptologic Research's ePrint archive, the proposal allows existing Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana wallet addresses to remain unchanged while providing quantum-resistant security. The scheme operates by allowing wallets to prove knowledge of their seed without revealing the actual seed information, operating alongside existing signature systems before replacing classical signing steps if quantum computers become capable of attacking elliptic curve cryptography.
AmericanFortress reports that ZK-PoSP generates one-time proofs for $0.002 on a 16-core server, with each transaction proof costing approximately $0.00125. The current implementation takes about 12 seconds to sign a transaction, with verification requiring between 9-10 milliseconds. As reported by AmericanFortress, the scheme covers both Bitcoin's secp256k1 curve and Ethereum's Ed25519, along with hierarchical deterministic wallet standards including BIP32 and SLIP-10. The proofs utilize RISC Zero technology without requiring trusted setup, though the company plans to license its software development kit to blockchains and other projects.
According to AmericanFortress, post-quantum security remains conjectural rather than proven against working attacks, as the underlying assumptions have not been tested against a cryptographically relevant quantum computer. Google's Quantum AI team recently estimated that breaking 256-bit elliptic curve cryptography could require fewer than 1,500 logical qubits and tens of millions of quantum gates. However, no such machine currently exists, and Google's analysis does not indicate Bitcoin or other networks face immediate attack. The scheme would require node-level software upgrades before any blockchain could enforce it, with wallet providers also needing to generate required proofs.
The proposal arrives as institutional interest in post-quantum security grows, with the Bitcoin Security Consortium recently forming with Strategy, BlackRock, Coinbase, and six other companies pledging $15 million over three years for post-quantum cryptography research. For US-based Bitcoin exchange-traded funds, custodians, and corporate treasuries, avoiding mass wallet migration could reduce operational and legal complications. However, ZK-PoSP would provide no protection unless Bitcoin developers, miners, node operators, wallet companies, and users accepted the necessary changes. Ethereum has pursued a separate path, with the Ethereum Foundation forming a dedicated post-quantum team in January and testing hash-based signatures and migration tools.
