As quantum computation improves, traditional hash-based proof-of-work (PoW) functions become more susceptible, undercutting the security of blockchain networks on everything from financial transactions to tracking along a supply chain. Meanwhile, standard PoW wastes huge amounts of power on redundant hash computation, amplifying environmental issues with no collateral value other than block protection. Industry players require a PoW system that resists both classical and quantum attacks, redirects miner effort into useful objectives, and maintains low verification costs coupled with tunable hardness levels for supporting actual-world transaction rates.
Our lattice-based PoW framework substitutes wasteful hash puzzles with studied lattice problems (Shortest Vector Problem, subset-sum variants, etc.), providing post-quantum resilience while focusing mining compute on improving lattice cryptanalysis. Our method differs from legacy schemes in providing immediate, one-operation verification as well as network operators' ability to dynamically tune lattice dimensions between security versus concurrency. In pilot experiments, we closed the quantum/classical attack gap lowering the quantum speed-up factor from more than 100× down to less than 10× and provided end-to-end block verification under 10 ms on general hardware. This blend of forward-secure safety, energy reuse, and operational efficiency uniquely positions our solution to protect next-generation blockchain applications.
High-Level Ideas of the Lattice-Based Proof of Work Design