- NEAR plans a post-quantum-safe signing testnet in Q2 2026, using FIPS-204 to improve account security.
- NEAR’s rotatable access keys may let users shift to quantum-safe signing without changing their account addresses.
NEAR Protocol is moving toward post-quantum security as its token gains about 20% from May 4 levels. NEAR traded at $1.2512 on May 4 before rising toward the $1.5 area today, placing the asset back in focus as traders track both its technical setup and its long-term security plans.
Near One, the protocol development team, plans to add a post-quantum-safe signing scheme to the testnet before the end of Q2 2026. The upgrade will use FIPS-204, or ML-DSA, a U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology-approved lattice-based signature standard built for post-quantum security.
The plan comes as blockchain networks face rising pressure to prepare for quantum computing risks. Current blockchain signatures, including Ed25519 and secp256k1, do not offer post-quantum protection. These signing methods secure many crypto wallets today, yet quantum advances could eventually weaken the cryptography behind them.
NEAR’s account model gives the network a different path for migration. Unlike Bitcoin and Ethereum addresses, NEAR accounts use human-readable names and rotatable access keys. That design separates accounts from one permanent cryptographic keypair, allowing users to change signing methods without moving to a new address.
Quantum computing is a threat to every blockchain protocol. NEAR's architecture already makes accounts and assets more quantum-secure than most chains.
The team is now adding post-quantum cryptography to secure NEAR and the wider Intents ecosystem.
Here's what's underway 🧵 pic.twitter.com/kugoUIlq24
— NEAR Protocol (@NEARProtocol) May 6, 2026
Once the testnet update goes live, NEAR account holders should be able to rotate their keys to the new post-quantum-safe option through a transaction. The move gives users and developers a practical way to test larger keys, new signing flows, and wallet changes.
Wallet support remains a major part of the rollout. Software wallets will need to update their interfaces, APIs, and signing processes. Hardware wallets also face a larger challenge, as current crypto devices do not support quantum-safe signing. Near One said it is working with wallet builders, including Ledger, on post-quantum planning.
Also, NEAR supports threshold signatures across more than 35 chains through its Chain Signatures network. The Defuse team is researching quantum-safe Chain Signatures for NEAR Intents users, including users who interact with assets from other blockchain ecosystems.
Recent news revealed that quantum computing is not an immediate Bitcoin threat, but Galaxy Digital says the network must start preparing before the hardware catches up.
NEAR Price Gains as Traders Watch Breakout Zone
NEAR’s market move has added short-term attention to the security update. The token is up about 20% from its May 4 level, while the latest 24-hour gain sits closer to 4%. The rally placed the token near a key resistance area after months of range-bound trading.Â
Recent analysis shows the token has traded mainly between about $1.30 and $1.60 since February. A firm move above the upper end of that range could shift attention toward $2, followed by the broader $2.80 to $3 area.
The smart money is betting on $NEAR.@CryptoHayes, Founder of @BitMEX just named NEAR as a potential outperformer this cycle!
NEAR is building the rails of agentic economy with Confidential Intents, NEAR AI, and IronClaw. https://t.co/iy9FnA0kDB pic.twitter.com/PNXlnA3vSm
— NEAR Legion (@NEARLegion) May 6, 2026
Derivative activity has also increased during the move. CoinGlass data showed futures volume rising above $834 million, while open interest climbed to more than $320 million. Also, the daily RSI climbed above 60 during the rally, pointing to stronger buying pressure while still staying below overheated levels.
