Bitcoin Must Prepare for Quantum Threat Now, Coinbase Says
Coinbase’s quantum advisory council says blockchain developers should start preparing now for a post-quantum transition, without waiting to settle the dispute over what to do with coins that never migrate. The council warns that a future cryptographically relevant quantum computer could break current signature schemes used by Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other networks, possibly by around 2030. It estimates about 7 million Bitcoin may already be quantum-vulnerable, including coins in legacy addresses and funds whose keys are lost. The report lays out three main responses for unmoved coins: freeze or burn them after a deadline, leave them alone and let market forces decide, or use middle-ground measures such as move limits or special proofs that let users pre-commit to migration without exposing funds. The council argues these approaches can be combined. The report adds to broader industry efforts, including Ethereum Foundation work on quantum-resistant signatures and Stellar’s migration roadmap, while Bitcoin developers continue debating how to handle vulnerable and abandoned coins.
