Deprecating BLS Withdrawal Credentials
Tracking the migration of BLS withdrawal credentials and proposing a mechanism for locked validators (i.e. validators that have lost access to their mnemonic and are unable to migrate)
Short History of Withdrawal Credentials
Pre-Genesis
BLS (0x00) credentials established before withdrawals were possible
Withdrawals Enabled
Shanghai upgrade introduces execution-layer credentials (0x01/0x02)
PQ Migration
Future: Hardfork to Post-quantum signatures
Recovery Mechanism
Proposed community-driven solution for validators with lost mnemonics
The Challenge
Quantum Threat
Legacy BLS credentials vulnerable to future quantum computing capabilities
Lost Mnemonics
Early validators face permanent lock without access to original seed phrases
Time-Sensitive
Migration must occur before post-quantum hard fork implementation
Preserving validator balances while maintaining network security.
Our goal is to ensure a smooth transition to PQ signatures by supporting and promoting the migration of BLS withdrawal credentials. We also endeavour to leave no legitimate stake locked due to lost mnemonics or outdated credential formats.