Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a shared, synchronized and replicated data spread spatially and temporally with no centralized administration and/or storage. Each node has a complete and identical set of records. All participants contribute to building and maintaining the distributed ledger. Current DLT technologies fall into two broad categories. Those that use block-chains such as in Bitcoin or Ethereum, and newer approaches which reduce computational loads for verification. All current approaches though difficult to crack can be vulnerable to quantum algorithms using Quantum Information Technologies (QIT). This effort joins the 2 technologies, constructing a Quantum Distributed Ledger (QDL) which provides a higher level of security using QIT and a decentralized data depository using DLT. This enhanced security prevents middleman attacks with quantum computers yet retains the advantages of a decentralized ledger of data.
Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is a shared, synchronized and replicated data spread spatially and temporally with no centralized administration and/or storage. Each node has a complete and identical set of records. All participants contribute to building and maintaining the distributed ledger. Current DLT technologies fall into two broad categories. Those that use block-chains such as in Bitcoin or Ethereum, and newer approaches which reduce computational loads for verification. All current approaches though difficult to crack can be vulnerable to quantum algorithms using Quantum Information Technologies (QIT). This effort joins the 2 technologies, constructing a Quantum Distributed Ledger (QDL) which provides a higher level of security using QIT and a decentralized data depository using DLT. This enhanced security prevents middleman attacks with quantum computers yet retains the advantages of a decentralized ledger of data.
Recent years have seen the continuous evolution of technology, which has led to the definition of frameworks such as the internet of things (IoT) and Industry 4.0. These paradigms are producing enormous quantities of data every single day. These data are subject to data analysis, shared publicly or kept secret. Traditionally, this task was carried out using databases. With the advent of Blockchain and other distributed ledger technologies (DLTs), instead, these data have a new way of being stored and shared (or kept private). The last actor role in this play is acted by quantum computers, since sufficiently large quantum computers are expected to seriously threaten the security and integrity of DLTs thanks to their totally different way of representing information. This paper aims to investigate the real threats for blockchain due to quantum computing and review post-quantum DLT solutions for traceability applications.
The integration of Quantum Computing (QC) and Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT) is poised to fundamentally reshape modern accounting by transforming how financial data is processed, secured, and verified. QC, utilising qubits, will exponentially enhance data analytics, risk assessment, and real-time financial forecasting, accelerating complex auditing tasks far beyond the capabilities of classical systems. In parallel, DLT, such as blockchain, provides a decentralised, immutable record of transactions, significantly increasing transparency and trust. This synergy may enable real-time analysis, continuous auditing, and intelligent automation, converting traditional static, centralised processes into dynamic, transparent ecosystems. Together, this convergence may redefine accounting, auditing, and finance, ushering in a new era of digital trust and efficiency. This technological shift may present challenges. Quantum algorithms pose a direct threat to existing blockchain cryptography, necessitating the urgent development of quantum-resistant cryptography and quantum key distribution to protect financial data. Additionally, the profession must adapt; accountants will need to acquire new skills in data science and quantum information theory. Successful adoption will require substantial infrastructure investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the creation of new accounting standards to accommodate these quantum-era technologies. While disruptive, the convergence of QC and DLT promises unprecedented efficiency, transparency, and trust in financial reporting and auditing. However, this technological shift presents significant challenges. Quantum algorithms pose a direct threat to existing blockchain cryptography, necessitating the urgent development of quantum-resistant cryptography and quantum key distribution to protect financial data. Additionally, the profession must adapt; accountants will need to acquire new skills in data science and quantum information theory. Successful adoption will require substantial infrastructure investment, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the creation of new accounting standards to accommodate these quantum-era technologies. While disruptive, the convergence of QC and DLT promises unprecedented efficiency, transparency, and trust in financial reporting and auditing.
Financial transactions demand exceptionally robust security, especially in light of the rapid advancement of quantum computing, which poses a severe threat to classical cryptographic mechanisms used in modern banking systems. Among various financial operations, transaction processing remains the most critical and vulnerable component. To address this emerging challenge, we introduce a Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)-based secure framework for quantum-resistant financial transactions. The proposed architecture leverages lattice-based cryptographic security to ensure resilience against quantum attacks while preserving essential security attributes such as privacy, accountability, and data integrity. Furthermore, to demonstrate its effectiveness, the proposed framework is also compared with existing solutions in the literature.
In the contemporary digital era, secure payment systems are imperative for ensuring trust and reliability in financial transactions. Traditional cryptographic methods, once considered robust, face formidable challenges with the advent of quantum computing. In response, distributed ledger technology DLT has emerged as a promising paradigm for enhancing payment security. This study presents an in -depth analysis of the integration of quantum cryptography and artificial intelligence AI within distributed ledger technology DLT -based payment systems, aiming to enhance security against the evolving landscape of cyber threats. By examining specific vulnerabilities such as Sybil attacks, double -spending, and transaction manipulation, this research proposes a comprehensive framework of AI -driven countermeasures and mitigation strategies. Furthermore, the paper explores future research directions, emphasizing the critical role of quantum -resistant cryptographic techniques and AI in securing DLT payment infrastructures. The findings underscore the potential of combining quantum cryptography and AI to create resilient, secure payment solutions for the digital age.
The rapid growth of digital financial services demands secure and privacy-preserving authentication schemes resilient to quantum attacks. The current approaches, which depend on public-key based bilinear pairings, RSA, and Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC), are susceptible to quantum algorithms. This paper proposes a novel Distributed Ledger Technology (DLT)-enabled post-quantum authentication scheme that integrates lattice-based cryptography with DLT to ensure quantum resistant, tamper-proof and privacy-preserving transactions. The protocol enables effective multi-phase authentication between users, servers, and DLT nodes by utilising the lattice-based Ring-Learning With Errors (LWE) hard problem for secure key establishment. Security and performance analyses demonstrate low computational overhead, and scalability for real-time financial ecosystems.
The advent of quantum computing has generated apprehensions regarding the viability and security of conventional cryptographic algorithms. These algorithms safeguard the decentralized trust built into the blockchain, which relies on decentralized cryptographic consensus, instead of a central authority. Simultaneously, quantum computing has also unveiled unprecedented possibilities, opportunities and risks in the realm of technology. The significance of this is that numerous sub-routines employed within the blockchain, such as consensus protocols, data transmission, storage, and communication, heavily depend on conventional cryptographic algorithms like Rivest-Shamir-Adleman (RSA) and Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). However, these algorithms are susceptible to quantum algorithms, which have the potential to effectively compromise them once quantum computers with sufficient computational capabilities are developed. Blockchain, although primarily recognized for its association with cryptocurrencies, is essentially a decentralized and trustless distributed ledger system. Its purpose is to enable decentralized communication, coordination, and the attainment of desired objectives through consensus mechanisms. A notable illustration of this concept is a blockchain transaction. The advent of quantum computing poses a significant threat to the security of blockchain systems, as the asymmetric algorithms employed within their many components will likely become obsolete. This jeopardizes the integrity of the blockchain system, which underpins a multi-billion dollar economy reliant on its inherent transparency and safety. This paper seeks to present an overview of the various threats faced by blockchain systems, examine the potential of quantum algorithms in offering cryptographic signatures for these systems, and provide a broad perspective on how to protect blockchain systems from quantum threats by utilizing quantum algorithms for cryptographic signatures. This study enhances the comprehension of existing vulnerabilities in blockchain systems, specifically focusing on the potential risks posed by quantum computing. Additionally, it sheds light on the ongoing efforts within the industry and current research endeavors aimed at addressing these weaknesses.