On Singh et al.’s Collatz Hash – IACR Preliminary Analysis
Category:Cryptography / Research
The IACR reported a new preprint proposing a hash function based on the Collatz Conjecture. Initial analysis shows it is unsuitable for cryptographic use, failing statistical and diffusion tests. Experts warn against implementation in any production context.
CORTEX Protocol Intelligence Assessment
Business Impact: Low immediate impact, but illustrates risks in adopting unproven cryptographic primitives. Technical Context: The function’s structure lacks avalanche properties and is highly reversible, violating basic cryptographic requirements.
Strategic Intelligence Guidance
- Avoid experimental cryptographic schemes in production.
- Rely on standardized NIST-approved primitives.
- Track peer reviews in the IACR ePrint archive for new findings.
- Educate development teams on cryptographic validation processes.
Vendors
Threats
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Intelligence Source: IACR News item: 25 October 2025 | Oct 26, 2025