Ben-Sasson Urges Shift to Hash-Based Cryptography
Zcash co-founder Eli Ben-Sasson called for systems to migrate to the strongest cryptography as quantum and AI threats grow.
Updated on Nov. 7, 2026 in Quantum Computing
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Eli Ben-Sasson, co-founder of Zcash and CEO of StarkWare, posted on November 5, 2026, calling for systems to migrate to the strongest forms of cryptography, naming hash-based cryptography, including ZK-STARKs, as the target. He also warned that AI could help attackers target cryptography before quantum computers arrive.
Why it matters
Migrating cryptographic systems is a long undertaking, and the call highlights the need to prepare before quantum computers can break current encryption. Ben-Sasson's post offers a direction for digital systems while the transition to new standards remains unfinished.
The three NIST post-quantum standards finalized in 2024 cover general encryption (FIPS 203), digital signatures (FIPS 204) and hash-based digital signatures (FIPS 205). Ben-Sasson's post cited no specific attack or vulnerable system, and wallet key and custody migration remains separate work.
The players
Eli Ben-Sasson
Co-founder of Zcash and CEO of StarkWare, a cryptography researcher and entrepreneur known for work on zero-knowledge proof systems.
The details
In his November 5 post, Ben-Sasson called on systems to move to hash-based cryptography, which uses collision-resistant hash functions as its security assumption. ZK-STARKs, the transparent zero-knowledge proof systems StarkWare develops, fall within that category.
Timeline
2024: NIST completed three post-quantum cryptography standards.
November 5, 2026: Ben-Sasson posted his call for migration to hash-based cryptography.
The Tech Race
The 2024 NIST standards set the post-quantum baseline, and Ben-Sasson's call pushes the industry toward hash-based options such as ZK-STARKs. The move reflects a broader race among cryptography developers to secure systems before quantum computers arrive.
Users holding crypto assets will eventually need to consider how their wallet keys and custody arrangements change as systems migrate. Wallet and custody migration requires separate work beyond the protocol-level shift Ben-Sasson describes.
The takeaway
Preparing for post-quantum security means starting migration planning before threats fully arrive. Because wallet keys and custody require separate work, individuals and organizations should review how their own keys are managed.
Further reading
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