https://doi.org/10.1140/epjqt/s40507-025-00462-y
Research
A cross-chain model with underlying security and scalability based on quantum algorithm
1
China Information Technology Security Evaluation Center, 100085, Beijing, China
2
School of Cyberspace Security, Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, 100876, Beijing, China
3
Beijing Electronic Science and Technology Institute, 100070, Beijing, China
4
Department of Sciences and Informatics, Muroran Institute of Technology, Muroran, Japan
5
College of Information Science and Engineering, ZaoZhuang University, 277160, ZaoZhuang, Shandong, China
a
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Received:
23
May
2023
Accepted:
31
December
2025
Published online:
29
January
2026
Abstract
Cross-chain relay architectures face critical security gaps: centralized trust dependencies, consensus vulnerabilities, and potential quantum threats. We propose the Quantum Cross-Chain (QCC) model—a post-quantum secure framework integrating quantum cryptography at the foundational layer. QCC establishes a global identity registry for heterogeneous chains and introduces a Two-Way Identity Authentication (TIA) protocol using GHZ entanglement, enabling information-theoretically secure mutual verification in a single execution. To fortify transaction integrity, we design a Quantum Ring Signature (QRS) scheme with novel key-loss security, ensuring that compromised keys cannot forge valid signatures. Unlike conventional systems that rely on smart contract autonomy, QCC delegates security to quantum one-way functions and distributed auditing, synchronizing consensus transmission with cryptographic validation. Formal verification proves composite security bounded by 
, while simulations demonstrate stable throughput (78.5 TPS) and predictable latency (130 ms) under variable network conditions. QCC achieves post-quantum resilience, decentralized auditability, and linear scalability, providing a practical blueprint for next-generation cross-chain infrastructure.
Key words: Cross-chain / Access control / Quantum signature / Secure mechanism
© The Author(s) 2026
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