Systematic review of lattice-based cryptography algorithms for securing blockchain networks in the post-quantum era

The rise of quantum computing threatens blockchain security as traditional cryptographic schemes become vulnerable. Lattice-based cryptography has emerged as a promising quantum-resistant solution. This systematic literature review uniquely provides an in-depth, blockchain-specific analysis of lattice-based cryptographic integration challenges. Following PRISMA guidelines, we analyzed 48 studies published between 2017-2025 from major academic databases. Unlike previous reviews that broadly examine post-quantum cryptography, we identify critical blockchain-specific implementation barriers, performance bottlenecks, and standardization gaps. Key challenges include computational overhead, protocol compatibility, and the need for lightweight cryptographic standards. Despite these challenges, lattice-based cryptography demonstrates significant potential for enhancing blockchain security in the quantum era. Our findings provide actionable insights for blockchain developers transitioning to post-quantum standards, emphasizing optimization requirements and interoperability with existing systems.