Ethereum EIP-8288 Would Cut Quantum-Safe Transaction Costs by 99%

Vitalik Buterin on October 19, 2026 called for "EIP-8288 maximalism," proposing that all signature and proof verification on Ethereum route through a single STARK-based recursive aggregation layer. The change would cut quantum-resistant transaction costs from hundreds of thousands of gas to the low tens of thousands — a reduction of over 99%.

• Quantum-safe signatures currently cost hundreds of thousands of gas to verify
• Under EIP-8288 costs would fall to the low tens of thousands of gas, over 99% less
• New cryptographic schemes could deploy without a new EIP or hard fork
• The EIP was co-authored by Ethereum Foundation researcher Thomas Coratger