Bitcoin developers have introduced a proposal to freeze certain types of addresses to protect the network from future quantum computing threats, according to a report by CoinDesk.
The Bitcoin Improvement Proposal, designated as BIP-361, outlines a plan for "Post Quantum Migration and Legacy Signature Sunset." The update to Bitcoin's official repository suggests that holders of quantum-vulnerable coins may eventually lose the ability to move their funds.
Prominent Bitcoin contributor Jameson Loop and several cryptographers are backing the move. The plan aims to phase out vulnerable address types over several years, ultimately invalidating legacy ECDSA and Schnorr signatures.
The quantum threat
The proposal targets the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature algorithm (ECDSA), the cryptographic method currently securing Bitcoin wallets. While a private key remains secret, the associated public key is revealed on the blockchain during transactions.
A powerful enough quantum computer could potentially reverse-engineer a public key to derive the private key, allowing attackers to drain funds. CoinDesk reports that a recent Google study warned that quantum machines might require much less computing power to compromise the blockchain than previously estimated.
Some industry observers have pointed to 2029 as a critical deadline for the network's security. Under BIP-361, users would be forced to migrate their holdings to new, quantum-resistant addresses to avoid having their coins locked by the network.
The move has met resistance from segments of the Bitcoin community. Critics argue that freezing coins violates the fundamental principle of sovereign, permissionless control. Developers maintain that the measure is a necessary defensive tactic to ensure the long-term survival of the blockchain.
