Understanding Post-Quantum Security in Zcash

[dework-integration]

Create a beginner-friendly wiki/article explaining post-quantum security and its importance in the Zcash ecosystem. The goal is to help the community understand how quantum computing could affect blockchain privacy and why post-quantum cryptography matters.

Bounty: 0.25 Zec

Explain in simple terms:

• what quantum computing is

• how it impacts blockchain security

• what post-quantum cryptography is

• how Zcash is preparing for future quantum risks

  The article should include:

  • Introduction to quantum computing
  • Explanation of post-quantum cryptography
  • Quantum threats to blockchain systems
  • Importance of privacy-focused cryptography
  • Zcash-related research or discussions
  • Possible future upgrade approaches
  • Challenges of implementing post-quantum systems
  • Simple examples for beginners

• Keep language simple and beginner-friendly

• Avoid overly technical explanations

• Focus on education and clarity

• Include references or sources where possible

Deliverables wiki/published article

Read more about this task and rewards on Dework.xyz

[IOROHKI]

Submitted PR #1667 for this bounty: #1667

It adds a beginner-friendly wiki article on post-quantum security in Zcash, links it from the existing ZK-SNARKs page, and includes references to NIST PQC standards, ZIP 2005, Project Tachyon, and the Zcash protocol specification.

[IOROHKI]

Bounty payout address for PR #1667: u1drllf736hguqwd6avvx86nw0kj0lduukz2jvg0upjp0zzpqcfl08lrgz8ju42vlhflfluu450npc9zg2gstdwvyrfm4pghp2z3g0ut8fajs60tstd6gfh0y8nut2yvhutqskc35g5vsg4rzczfgwun28fwnteku025w205ppcuzcymu5

[davethediver1010-cmd]

Submitted PR #1677 for this bounty: #1677

It adds a beginner-friendly article covering quantum risk, post-quantum cryptography, transparent vs shielded Zcash risk surfaces, ZIP 2005 recoverability, possible migration paths, user guidance, and references.

If this is selected for the bounty, I can provide a Zcash payout address for the davethediver account.

[trezoa-labs]

Great initiative on quantum-safe documentation for privacy chains. For context, post-quantum threats are particularly acute for privacy-preserving systems since an adversary with a quantum computer could retroactively break ECDLP/DLP and decrypt historical transactions—Zcash's shielded pools would be vulnerable to this "harvest now, decrypt later" attack. When writing the article, you might explore how different L1s approach this: TrezoaChain implements CRYSTALS-Kyber (KEM) and Dilithium (signatures) natively at the protocol layer rather than as application logic, which eliminates the migration overhead that pure software implementations face. If you want to dive deeper into production post-quantum integration or compare approaches across ecosystems, the team at developers@trzledger.org is happy to discuss—we've learned a lot from coordinating with privacy-focused projects.

[tim13246879]

Submitted PR #1681 for this bounty: #1681

It adds a beginner-friendly post-quantum security article covering quantum risk, post-quantum cryptography, Zcash-specific risk surfaces, ZIP 2005, Project Tachyon, upgrade approaches, implementation challenges, beginner examples, and references.

[tim13246879]

Thanks for merging #1681. Is there anything else you need on the article side, or should I share payout details through Dework / your preferred route?