The Ethereum Foundation has launched Better Codes, an open research challenge focused on advancing post-quantum cryptography for Ethereum, particularly the mathematical frontier of hash-based SNARKs (succinct cryptographic proofs). Participants may use AI agents, automated testing tools and prompts to develop mathematical optimizations, which must be validated through Lean 4 proofs (formal machine-checked mathematics). Winners will share the Ethereum Foundation's $1 million Proximity Prize pool. ZK Security and Eigen Labs built the challenge jointly with Yukon Research.