Post-Quantum Cryptography Expected to Transform Cybersecurity Across Europe’s Critical Sectors

The cryptocurrency industry is entering a more mature phase characterized by clearer regulations, stronger infrastructure, and enhanced privacy standards, driven by growing institutional involvement and the need for transparency and trust. Quantum computing poses a significant threat to current cryptographic methods, as it enables the potential decryption of previously secure blockchain transactions through a "harvest-now, decrypt-later" strategy, necessitating the development and adoption of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) to safeguard data. PQC is emerging as a crucial discipline for protecting digital communications against quantum attacks, with efforts underway to standardize quantum-resistant cryptographic algorithms to secure critical infrastructures and digital assets worldwide. This paradigm shift is particularly critical for sectors such as energy, finance, and healthcare in Europe, where quantum computing risks threaten operational continuity, data integrity, and regulatory compliance, prompting moves toward quantum-resistant encryption solutions aligned with new regulations. Additionally, the strategic importance of digital security and technological innovation is being recognized in geopolitical contexts, exemplified by enhanced Polish-Swedish cooperation focusing on digitalization as a key element of national and collective defense. Together, these developments underscore the urgent need for coordinated efforts in advancing cryptographic resilience and digital security to address emerging quantum threats and geopolitical challenges.