Bithumb said on Feb. 20 it will introduce a security system based on post-quantum cryptography (PQC), the first among domestic digital asset exchanges.

Bithumb signed a technical agreement with fintech security firm Aton on Feb. 11 at Bithumb Financial Tower in Seoul's Gangnam district to introduce a post-quantum cryptography (PQC) security solution. It decided to apply the PQC security solution across its platform.

The solution applies ML-DSA and ML-KEM, standard post-quantum cryptography algorithms selected by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It combines the company's proprietary white-box encryption technology and is designed to respond on two fronts to quantum computer-based decryption threats as well as existing hacking attacks.

Bithumb plans to apply a PQC-based protection system across the entire security lifecycle of its exchange services, including input, authentication, transmission and storage, through the solution.

Bithumb and Aton will also form a joint technical consultative body to build a PQC security system optimised for the exchange environment in stages and pursue ongoing advancement.

They plan to prepare for the quantum-computing-era threat of "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later". They also plan to strengthen the user protection system in step with the government's policy to transition cryptographic systems.

Lee Gi-taek (이기택), head of security at Bithumb, said, "We moved forward with introducing a security system based on post-quantum cryptography to prepare for long-term changes in the security environment." He added, "We will continue to strengthen the system for protecting user assets through phased application and advancement."