Bitcoin Developers float proposal to freeze Quantum computers.

[TEBTC]

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT

This is a new initiative by Bitcoin developers that is aimed at safeguarding the block chain against potential threats from quantum computers because Quantum computers still in their early stages of development pose a future risk to Bitcoin because they could theoretically break the cryptographic algorithms protecting user funds specifically those exposed in certain address types.When you send Bitcoin your public key becomes visible on the block chain a quantum computer could use Shor’s Algorithm to compute your private key from your public key allowing theft of your funds.

QUANTUM VULNERABLE ADDRESSES

Some older Bitcoin addresses particularly those that have already revealed their public key by spending coins are considered quantum-vulnerable they include P2PK ,P2PKH once spent, the public key is exposed Quantum computers could in theory, derive the private key from the public key, allowing them to steal funds from those addresses


This proposal is forward-looking because it's a defensive  mechanism or step against a potentially massive cryptographic shift. It’s still in early discussion stages and would require broad consensus to implement via a soft fork.

What is your view on this development on the Bitcoin block chain by developers, you can read more about this on the link below

https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/07/16/bitcoin-devs-float-proposal-to-freeze-quantum-vulnerable-addresses-even-satoshi-nakamoto-s

[goldkingcoiner]

WHAT IS THIS ALL ABOUT

This is a new initiative by Bitcoin developers that is aimed at safeguarding the block chain against potential threats from quantum computers because Quantum computers still in their early stages of development pose a future risk to Bitcoin because they could theoretically break the cryptographic algorithms protecting user funds specifically those exposed in certain address types.When you send Bitcoin your public key becomes visible on the block chain a quantum computer could use Shor’s Algorithm to compute your private key from your public key allowing theft of your funds.

QUANTUM VULNERABLE ADDRESSES

Some older Bitcoin addresses particularly those that have already revealed their public key by spending coins are considered quantum-vulnerable they include P2PK ,P2PKH once spent, the public key is exposed Quantum computers could in theory, derive the private key from the public key, allowing them to steal funds from those addresses


This proposal is forward-looking because it's a defensive  mechanism or step against a potentially massive cryptographic shift. It’s still in early discussion stages and would require broad consensus to implement via a soft fork.

What is your view on this development on the Bitcoin block chain by developers, you can read more about this on the link below

https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/07/16/bitcoin-devs-float-proposal-to-freeze-quantum-vulnerable-addresses-even-satoshi-nakamoto-s

Nearly 25% of Bitcoin are exposed to the quantum breaking threat...  And I agree that something should be done before the exposed public key Bitcoin are hacked. But we need clear communication, recovery options, and community consensus. There is still plenty of time to figure this out.

Quantum computing is not progressing so fast that we need to implement panic-driven decisions.

I think freezing should be seen as a last option since it could do irreversible damage without a well-thought-out recovery path. Also, what if we made legacy addresses slower or more expensive to use as a first step towards pushing people out of the outdated addresses?

Consensus shouldn't just come from core dev FUD, otherwise this is just going to create a dangerous precident and make Bitcoin more centralized.

[headingnorth]

Re: Bitcoin Developers float proposal to freeze Quantum computers.

Freeze quantum computers? What? Your title doesn't make sense. Do you mean freeze legacy addresses?

It looks like this proposal would give bitcoin holders up to 5 years to move your coins to a new quantum-proof address.
Any funds left in legacy addresses after that time would be permanently frozen, but there would be some kind mechanism
to prove ownership to unlock frozen funds.

Freezing funds is an extreme measure, but might be justified given the extreme threat of quantum computing
to the bitcoin network. If they get it right it could work.

[MArsland]

Does a proposal like this indicate that these concerns are real?
Isn't it impossible to freeze quantum computing development, as programs are spread across multiple countries and have been underway for a long time? Rather than freezing the program, perhaps it's time to adapt.

[NotFuzzyWarm]

The OP obviously either used a really bad translator or AI to generate their post along with the laughably incorrect title. No matter what, I don't expect the OP to return to correct it.  

Considering Coindesk will publish just about anything without researching it, I see the article as just another attempt by Jameson Lopp et al to push for their BIP 360 to be implemented. Per Coindesks typical mo they mention shadowy 'researchers' spouting FUD about rapidly approaching timelines to take action but fail to provide any links to papers or articles from said 'researchers' for us to read and form our own conclusions.

[headingnorth]

If QC can hack bitcoin, then it could hack anything including every altcoin, every banking account in existence,
every email, the nuclear launch codes, etc. This would trigger worldwide panic and lead to global economic collapse.

I doubt the developers of QC including Google, Microsoft, IBM, Intel, etc would allow that to happen.
So I don't think  they would be selling an advanced quantum computer to just anyone. It would be like selling a nuclear bomb
to anyone who wants one. Because like nukes a QC could very easily be used as a weapon of mass destruction in the wrong hands.

So the QC companies will probably be working with industry and governments to quantum-proof
their systems and networks beforehand. These quantum-proof security measures will likely be open-source
and made widely and publicly available long before advanced QC is ever released on the market.

When that happens then you know the technology has matured enough to be a real threat, but the security
against it will also be made widely available, to prevent nefarious uses. So to me it's just a lot of needless fearmongering.

[stadus]

There’s no way it’s just going to freeze. Companies like IBM have already poured a lot of money into its development. You really think just because there’s a potential threat to Bitcoin’s network, everything will come to a halt? Institutional investors are well aware of these risks. It’s just basic logic, if they truly believed the risk was that serious, they wouldn’t be putting in so much money for long-term Bitcoin holdings. You don’t need to be a genius to understand that.

[BenCodie]

Re: Bitcoin Developers float proposal to freeze Quantum computers.

Freeze quantum computers? What? Your title doesn't make sense. Do you mean freeze legacy addresses?

Yes, a better title would be "Bitcoin developers float proposal to freeze quantum-vulnerable legacy addresses".

It looks like this proposal would give bitcoin holders up to 5 years to move your coins to a new quantum-proof address.
Any funds left in legacy addresses after that time would be permanently frozen, but there would be some kind mechanism
to prove ownership to unlock frozen funds.

Freezing funds is an extreme measure, but might be justified given the extreme threat of quantum computing
to the bitcoin network. If they get it right it could work.

This says to me that we are still 5 years away from quantum technology becoming a threat to legacy addresses (otherwise, why allow 5 years to move coins, and not freeze them now and add the recovery option if the threat is already here?).

The quantum topic is almost always misinformation about something that is portrayed as here and now, though is still years away (if ever possible). I suppose the bright side of this proposal is that it insinuates that the threat is still at least 5 years away.

[BitGoba]

Honestly, I think people are overreacting when it comes to quantum computers and Bitcoin. We're probably at least 50 years away from building quantum machines that could actually break Bitcoin’s encryption. And even if that day comes, the Bitcoin community will most likely find a way to upgrade the system before it becomes a real threat. So for now, I don’t think it’s something we should worry about.

[Sticky Bomb]

Honestly, I think people are overreacting when it comes to quantum computers and Bitcoin. We're probably at least 50 years away from building quantum machines that could actually break Bitcoin’s encryption. And even if that day comes, the Bitcoin community will most likely find a way to upgrade the system before it becomes a real threat. So for now, I don’t think it’s something we should worry about.

It never hurts to be prepared and the best way to protect yourself against a seeming threat is to be one or more step ahead of it, Bitcoin devs are having some good preparations to implement something against the advent of quantum computers and the fact that they are coming necessitates some real good preparations for it. BIP 360 like is proposed, from theory can be a fairly good fit, although I am yet to see a proper breakdown on the way it tends to achieve that. I believe there is everything right in being prepared for the threat since it can happen faster than speculated.

[Felicity_Tide]

The quantum topic is almost always misinformation about something that is portrayed as here and now, though is still years away (if ever possible). I suppose the bright side of this proposal is that it insinuates that the threat is still at least 5 years away.

I haven't read the proposal yet, but someone from my LB gave a snippet through a thread some days back. My question has never changed especially when It comes to quantum attack related topics. Why is Bitcoin always the point of discussion when there are literally hundreds or even thousands of things that can possibly be attacked?. Okay, I understand that they are trying to address future possible problems before hand, but are quantum computers dedicated to be a threat to just vulnerable wallets or Bitcoin itself?.

I've watched a few videos, especially on special quantum computers from very big companies, but most things that are being said are always based on theory. I'm not sure of howfar we are from any future possible attack, but I really look forward to seeing how this proposal is treated.

[BenCodie]

The quantum topic is almost always misinformation about something that is portrayed as here and now, though is still years away (if ever possible). I suppose the bright side of this proposal is that it insinuates that the threat is still at least 5 years away.

My question has never changed especially when It comes to quantum attack related topics. Why is Bitcoin always the point of discussion when there are literally hundreds or even thousands of things that can possibly be attacked?. Okay, I understand that they are trying to address future possible problems before hand, but are quantum computers dedicated to be a threat to just vulnerable wallets or Bitcoin itself?.

I've watched a few videos, especially on special quantum computers from very big companies, but most things that are being said are always based on theory. I'm not sure of howfar we are from any future possible attack, but I really look forward to seeing how this proposal is treated.

The answer to your question is quite simple. Quantum computing is an effective way to spread fear, uncertainty and doubt about Bitcoin, since quantum computing is a theoretical future threat that can be portrayed as a current one. It scares new investors from entering the market, and maybe even scares people into thinking the sky is about to fall, causing them to sell their btc and doubt its future. It is becoming more and more effective with time as technology evolves at a rate that people can't understand, especially now that we are in an era where evolving AI exists as well.

Why do they not think about consequences on less evolved systems? I think that because to most, Bitcoin is not a necessity, and to those that believe the quantum threat, it's an excuse to doubt Bitcoin's future. For what they perceive as necessities (like banking or online accounts), there is no choice but to trust and not to fear any consequences (until of course, it's too late and there is a need to look at alternatives).

I think the reality of the quantum threat is that it will effect traditional systems before it effects Bitcoin, and may even be a catalyst for even further adoption if something ever were to happen.

It is also true that it's entirely theoretical for now. Anyone saying it's a current threat is either uninformed or has ulterior motivations.

[dumpsterhawk]

It is also true that it's entirely theoretical for now. Anyone saying it's a current threat is either uninformed or has ulterior motivations.

While it is good to invest time early into creating defense mechanisms for this, you are fully correct. Anyone who is sounding the alarm bells is just creating FUD. I think we will see many more proposals before we get even a little bit close to some solutions.

[Fiatless]

Honestly, I think people are overreacting when it comes to quantum computers and Bitcoin. We're probably at least 50 years away from building quantum machines that could actually break Bitcoin’s encryption. And even if that day comes, the Bitcoin community will most likely find a way to upgrade the system before it becomes a real threat. So for now, I don’t think it’s something we should worry about.

Some reports state that Quantum Computing could be a threat in less than five years. Bitcoin holders should just transfer from old legacy wallets to other modern ones or their wallets will be frozen. I just hope there will be a recovery process after this freeze. I support any move that will make the Bitcoin system safe and protected from all attacks. I also think that this issue about QC is overemphasised by some people to promote fud for their personal benefits. After all other sectors like the banks,  aviation, etc, are more at risk.