07 when to use

This guide helps you decide which account type is best for your specific use case.

Decision Tree

Do you need quantum resistance?
│
├─ No → Use ECDSA Account
│       (Maximum compatibility, lowest gas costs)
│
└─ Yes → Do you need Ethereum compatibility?
         │
         ├─ No → Use PQC Account
         │       (Pure quantum resistance, PQC networks)
         │
         └─ Yes → Use Hybrid Account
                 (Quantum resistance + compatibility)

Use Case Scenarios

Scenario 1: Standard Ethereum dApp Interaction

Requirements:

• Interact with existing Ethereum dApps

• Use MetaMask or other standard wallets

• Deploy to Ethereum mainnet/testnets

Recommendation: ✅ ECDSA Account

Reasoning:

• Full compatibility with Ethereum ecosystem

• Lowest gas costs

• Standard address format (0x...)

• Works with all existing tools

Example Use Cases:

• DeFi interactions (Uniswap, Aave, etc.)

• NFT trading

• Standard token transfers

• Smart contract interactions

---

Scenario 2: Long-Term Asset Storage

Requirements:

• Store high-value assets for 10+ years

• Protect against future quantum attacks

• Future-proof security

Recommendation: ✅ PQC Account or ✅ Hybrid Account

Reasoning:

• Quantum-resistant cryptography

• Long-term security guarantee

• NIST Level 3 security

Choose PQC if:

• Don't need immediate Ethereum compatibility

• PQC-enabled network

• Pure quantum security focus

Choose Hybrid if:

• Need both quantum resistance AND compatibility

• May need to interact with Ethereum ecosystem

• Migration from existing ECDSA account

Example Use Cases:

• Long-term savings accounts

• Inheritance planning

• High-value asset storage

• Regulatory compliance requiring quantum resistance

---

Scenario 3: High-Frequency Trading

Requirements:

• Many transactions per day

• Gas cost optimization critical

• Fast transaction processing

Recommendation: ✅ ECDSA Account

Reasoning:

• Smallest signature size (65 bytes)

• Lowest gas costs (~1,040 gas per transaction)

• Fast transaction processing

• Standard Ethereum compatibility

Example Use Cases:

• DEX trading bots

• Arbitrage operations

• High-frequency DeFi strategies

• Cost-sensitive operations

---

Scenario 4: Migration from Existing Account

Requirements:

• Upgrade existing ECDSA account

• Maintain address compatibility (if possible)

• Add quantum resistance

Recommendation: ✅ Hybrid Account

Reasoning:

• Can use existing ECDSA private key

• Maintains ECDSA address format (if desired)

• Adds quantum resistance

• Smooth migration path

Migration Steps:

1

Export existing ECDSA private key

Export your current ECDSA private key from your wallet.

2

Create Hybrid account

Create a Hybrid account using your existing ECDSA key and generate a PQC key.

3

Transfer funds to Hybrid address

Send your funds to the newly created Hybrid address.

4

Update references

Update any dApps or contracts that reference your old address to the new Hybrid address.

Example Use Cases:

• Upgrading existing wallet

• Adding quantum security to current account

• Future-proofing existing infrastructure

---

Scenario 5: PQC-Only Network

Requirements:

• Network only supports PQC transactions

• No ECDSA compatibility needed

• Pure PQC environment

Recommendation: ✅ PQC Account

Reasoning:

• Network requirement

• No need for ECDSA compatibility

• Optimized for PQC networks

• Lower gas costs than Hybrid

Example Use Cases:

• PQC-native blockchain networks

• Quantum-focused applications

• Research and development

• PQC-specific protocols

---

Scenario 6: Critical Infrastructure

Requirements:

• Maximum security required

• Defense against all attack vectors

• Regulatory compliance

• Long-term viability

Recommendation: ✅ Hybrid Account

Reasoning:

• Defense against both classical and quantum attacks

• Dual signature requirement (both must be valid)

• Maximum security guarantee

• Future-proof design

Example Use Cases:

• Enterprise blockchain solutions

• Government applications

• Financial infrastructure

• Critical system security

---

Scenario 7: Development and Testing

Requirements:

• Quick iteration

• Low gas costs for testing

• Standard tooling compatibility

Recommendation: ✅ ECDSA Account

Reasoning:

• Fast development cycle

• Low gas costs for frequent testing

• Works with all development tools

• Easy to reset/recreate

Example Use Cases:

• Smart contract development

• dApp testing

• Prototype development

• Learning and experimentation

---

Comparison by Priority

Priority: Maximum Compatibility

Rank	Account Type	Compatibility Score
1	ECDSA	100%
2	Hybrid	100% (ECDSA address)
3	PQC	20% (limited)

Choose: ECDSA or Hybrid

---

Priority: Quantum Resistance

Rank	Account Type	Quantum Security
1	PQC	✅ Full
1	Hybrid	✅ Full
3	ECDSA	❌ None

Choose: PQC or Hybrid

---

Priority: Gas Cost Optimization

Rank	Account Type	Gas Cost (Approx.)
1	ECDSA	~21,000 gas
2	PQC	~210,000 gas
3	Hybrid	~228,000 gas

Choose: ECDSA

---

Priority: Long-Term Security

Rank	Account Type	Security Level
1	Hybrid	Maximum (dual)
2	PQC	High (quantum)
3	ECDSA	Medium (classical)

Choose: Hybrid or PQC

---

Priority: Migration Path

Rank	Account Type	Migration Ease
1	Hybrid	✅ Easy (from ECDSA)
2	PQC	⚠️ Moderate (new account)
3	ECDSA	N/A (starting point)

Choose: Hybrid

---

Decision Matrix

Requirement	ECDSA	PQC	Hybrid
Ethereum Compatibility	✅✅✅	❌	✅✅✅
Quantum Resistance	❌	✅✅✅	✅✅✅
Gas Cost	✅✅✅	❌	❌
Long-Term Security	❌	✅✅	✅✅✅
Migration Path	N/A	❌	✅✅✅
Storage Efficiency	✅✅✅	✅✅	❌
Transaction Speed	✅✅✅	✅✅	✅✅

Legend:

• ✅✅✅ = Excellent

• ✅✅ = Good

• ✅ = Acceptable

• ❌ = Poor/Not Available

Common Questions

Q: Can I use ECDSA for long-term storage?

A: ECDSA is secure against classical attacks but vulnerable to future quantum attacks. For assets you plan to hold for 10+ years, consider PQC or Hybrid accounts.

Q: Do I need Hybrid if I already have PQC?

A: Only if you need Ethereum compatibility. If you're on a PQC-only network and don't need ECDSA compatibility, PQC alone is sufficient.

Q: Can I switch account types later?

A: Yes, but you'll need to:

• Create a new account of the desired type

• Transfer funds to the new address

• Update any references to your old address

Q: Which is more secure: PQC or Hybrid?

A: Both provide quantum resistance. Hybrid adds defense in depth (both signatures must be valid), but PQC alone is already quantum-resistant.

Q: Why would I choose Hybrid over PQC?

A: Choose Hybrid if you need:

• Ethereum compatibility (standard 0x address)

• Ability to use existing Ethereum tools

• Migration from ECDSA without changing address format

Summary Recommendations

Your Situation	Recommended Account Type
Standard Ethereum user	ECDSA
Long-term storage (10+ years)	PQC or Hybrid
High-frequency trading	ECDSA
Migrating existing account	Hybrid
PQC-only network	PQC
Critical infrastructure	Hybrid
Development/testing	ECDSA
Maximum security	Hybrid
Cost optimization	ECDSA
Future-proofing	PQC or Hybrid

Related Documentation

• Overview - Account types overview

• ECDSA Accounts - ECDSA details

• PQC Accounts - PQC details

• Hybrid Accounts - Hybrid details

• Account Comparison - Detailed comparison