Naoris Protocol Offers $120K Bounty to Test Elliptic Curve Crypto Resistance

Naoris Protocol, a pioneer in post-quantum infrastructure, has announced a $120,000 bounty program to evaluate the strength of widely used elliptic curve cryptographic algorithms. The initiative targets foundational encryption methods currently securing systems ranging from Bitcoin’s $2.4 trillion market to the $410 trillion global banking system. The bounty is designed to encourage cryptographers to break these algorithms through mathematical cryptanalysis, rather than exploiting implementation flaws or side-channel attacks [1].

The reward structure is aligned with the criticality of the cryptographic standards involved. Breaking secp256k1, the curve used by Bitcoin and Ethereum, carries a $50,000 bounty. Ed25519, employed by platforms like Signal, WhatsApp, and Solana, offers a $30,000 prize. NIST P-256, a standard for TLS/SSL internet security, is valued at $20,000. A $10,000 reward is set for the breaking of other major curves such as P-224, P-384, and P-521 [1].

David Carvalho, CEO of Naoris Protocol, highlighted the proactive nature of the initiative. “This isn’t about attacking cryptocurrency—it’s about defending it,” he stated, noting that these algorithms have safeguarded global commerce for decades but are vulnerable to future quantum computing threats [1].

The stakes are high, as elliptic curve cryptography underpins not only blockchain networks and encrypted messaging systems but also critical infrastructure in government, defense, and financial sectors. As quantum computing advances, the need to test and update these systems has become increasingly urgent for both public and private stakeholders. The National Security Agency’s transition to quantum-resistant cryptography in 2015 has set a benchmark for the broader market to follow [1].

With current quantum computers operating at about 1,000 physical qubits and a projected 2,330 logical qubits required to break 256-bit elliptic curve cryptography, the timeline for potential quantum threats is shortening. Carvalho warned that quantum computing is progressing at an exponential rate and that the transition to post-quantum solutions must begin immediately [1].

Naoris Protocol is developing lattice-based cryptography infrastructure that is resistant to both classical and quantum attacks. The company works with Fortune 500 enterprises and government agencies, aiming to create a quantum-safe digital future. The bounty program serves as a critical step in identifying vulnerabilities before quantum computing renders current encryption obsolete [1].

Submissions for the bounty are open through the protocol’s official form. By incentivizing cryptographers to test the resilience of these algorithms, Naoris Protocol is contributing to the global effort to secure digital systems against emerging quantum threats [1].

Source: [1] Naoris Protocol Launches $120K Post-Quantum Bug Bounty Amid Growing Cryptographic Security Focus,

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