PQC Migration

Overview

BGIN coordinates multi-stakeholder dialogue on how DLT stacks, wallets, and operators migrate to post-quantum cryptography without inventing new algorithms. Work focuses on crypto-agility patterns, staged rollout, deployment gaps, and neutral measurement. Since September 2026 the workstream also carries BGIN’s coordination role for the Japan-hosted PQC Migration Prize (2026–2028): forming the evaluation committee, drafting the evaluation metrics and rubric, specifying a neutral crypto-agility testbed, and running a six-workshop series (Sep 2026 → Feb 2027) that feeds the host’s call text. BGIN does not select algorithms and does not run the competition.

Expected deliverables

• Practical guidance on PQC migration for blockchain stacks
• Crypto-agility architecture patterns (hybrid / algorithm agility)
• Evaluation framework for the PQC Migration Prize — metrics register, rubric, and a “PQC-ready chain” definition in standards-ready vocabulary
• Neutral, reproducible testbed evidence (BSafe.network concept) on pre-existing NIST-class signature schemes in Bitcoin- and Ethereum-mappable configurations
• Call-text inputs delivered to the host (METI/NEDO) ahead of the planned January 2027 opening
• Session outcomes and meeting reports from Block, GDC, and workshop meetings

Current status

The GDC26 Geneva breakout (3 Sep 2026) produced a Chatham House meeting report and session slides. The public coordination repository for the PQC Migration Prize opened in September 2026: governance, core outcomes (O1–O6), a 22-metric evaluation register, testbed scheme and harness specifications, and the workshop roadmap are all published as draft v0 for open review. The evaluation committee is forming — nominations are open, and the competition’s public discussion has its own category on the BGIN Discourse. Block 15 is the second workshop anchor: seating the committee, moving the metrics register from v0 to v1, and ruling on scheme scope. The SSR-co-located workshop on 13 Dec 2026 targets the call-text input package and a working definition of a “PQC-ready chain”. Earlier Block 12–14 reports remain on this hub.

Related initiatives

External context for coordination — not hosted or operated by BGIN.

Documents

Full library (including historical study reports) → Publications

Roadmap

• Mar 2026
  Block 14 deep dive
• 3 Sep 2026
  GDC26 PQC migration session
• Sep 2026
  Coordination repository open; committee nominations open
• Oct 2026
  Block 15 (Washington, D.C.) — committee seated, metrics v1, scheme scope rulings
• 30 Nov 2026
  BSAQ2026 domestic workshop, University of Tokyo (Call for Papers, in Japanese)Current
• Nov 2026
  Testbed harness, node-host call, COI policy
• 13 Dec 2026
  SSR workshop — call-text package and “PQC-ready chain” definition
• Jan 2027
  Applications open (planned by the host)
• 2027–28
  Evaluation rounds → BGIN Standard → ISO/TC 307

Upcoming meetings

How to participate

• Nominate an evaluation-committee member — including yourself — via the repository issue template; conflict-of-interest disclosure follows the published policy
• Propose or challenge a metric, or argue a scheme scope ruling (C-01…C-06), in the repository or on Discourse
• Offer a testbed node — universities and neutral labs host BSafe.network evaluation nodes, separated from judging
• Bring comments, corrections, and proposed “PQC-ready chain” definitions to the GDC26 report thread and to the Block 15 PQC sessions (15 Oct)
• Work on Discourse (IKP and the competition category) — open to anyone, no membership required

Official working forum (permissionless): How to work on Discourse · Competition category on Discourse ↗ · Open this WG ↗ · Block 15

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