Post-Quantum Adaptability of Distributed Ledger Infrastructures: Comparative Analysis of Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana

Abstract

This paper presents a comparative technical analysis of post-quantum adaptability in major distributed ledger infrastructures, focusing on Bitcoin, Ethereum, and Solana. The study evaluates how governance flexibility, protocol evolution mechanisms, validator coordination, and transaction throughput requirements influence the feasibility of large-scale migration toward post-quantum cryptographic mechanisms. Additionally, the analysis considers the impact of standardized NIST post-quantum signature schemes, including ML-DSA, FN-DSA, and SLH-DSA, on network scalability, synchronization overhead, and implementation complexity. A conceptual comparative framework is proposed for assessing migration feasibility under emerging quantum security threats. The results indicate that post-quantum readiness depends not only on cryptographic resilience, but also on the architectural and operational adaptability of distributed ledger infrastructures. High-throughput systems demonstrate increased sensitivity to post-quantum signature overhead, while conservative governance models may significantly slow protocol-level cryptographic transition.