Bitcoin developers have introduced a radical proposal to protect the network from a potential quantum computer attack. The plan project could freeze around 25% of the total Bitcoin supply if users fail to upgrade.
This would mean that approximately $ 593 billion in BTC remains vulnerable to a quantum attack.
Radical plan of Bitcoin developers to prepare for the era of quantum computer science
The proposal, entitled “Post-quantic migration and inherited signature sunset”was submitted on July 14 by popular contributors, including Jameson Lopp.
He describes a multi -head strategy to transmit bitcoin to quantum resistant cryptography and signature types inherited from sunset like Ecdsa and Schnorr.
In the plan, developers argue that quantum computers could break these cryptographic schemes over the next five to ten years. Some say that Q-Day can arrive in 2027.
If this happens, any wallet that has ever exposed its public chain key could be compromised. This includes those related to Satoshi Nakamoto.
The plan introduces three key phases.
Phase A would prohibit new transactions from being sent to quantum vulnerable addresses. This step would encourage users to migrate to post-quantum addresses (P2QRH).
Phase B is more aggressive. He would do all the transactions using inherited inherited cryptography at a predetermined block height. This means effectively freezing funds in vulnerable wallets if they are not improved.
Phase CStill being researching, could provide a recovery mechanism to users who are missing the migration deadline. This would use zero knowledge of knowledge to check the control of the seed phrase of a wallet.
The quantum threat to bitcoin is real
According to the proposal, more than 4.9 million BTC – nearly $ 593 billion at current prices – are exposed due to the inherited address formats. These include early formats such as Pay-to-Public-Key (P2PK) and reused keys.
The portfolio of Satoshi Nakamoto, holding around 1 million BTC, would be among the assigned if the proposal was adopted and no migration occurs.
The authors say that this plan creates a clear incentive for users and institutions to act. “Do not upgrade and you will certainly lose access to your funds,” says the project.
The motivation is clear. If a quantum striker has access to the public keys exposed, he could steal secretly coins and undermine confidence in the network.
The developers warn that when such an attack is visible to the chain, the damage could be irreversible.
They also cite recent advances in quantum algorithms and post-health cryptography, including NIST ratification of PQ signature schemes in 2024.
The equipment can still be lagging behind, but algorithmic progress shrinks the threat window.
Bitcoin has historically been slow to adopt upgrades. This proposal aims to accelerate migration by creating a five -year calendar, aligning the stakeholders around a defined day of flag.
Meanwhile, the proposal is still in the form of a project and would require a large community consensus to move forward.
However, it marks the most serious and most coordinated effort to pre -empt a quantum threat to Bitcoin.
If it was implemented, it would also be the first time in Bitcoin history that unused parts could be constantly disabled so as not to comply with new safety standards.
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