r/btc • u/Super_ChinG Redditor for less than 30 days • 1d ago

⌨ Discussion Bitcoin, quantum computing, and security: How prepared should crypto be?

Quantum computing has brought up new questions about Bitcoin and the cryptography protecting digital assets. Some think the threat is still far away, while others believe the industry should start preparing now.

How seriously should crypto take quantum risks today, and what should matter most when preparing: stronger security, easier migration, or keeping things simple for users?

4 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

14 comments sorted by

3

u/daily-trader-365 1d ago

It’s all just talk, quantum doesn’t work accept in a limited capacity under lab conditions

1

u/2xfun 1d ago

Read the most upvoted comment

0

u/Super_ChinG Redditor for less than 30 days 19h ago

Quantum computers are still limited, sure, but preparing cryptography takes years too. No need to wait until the hardware catches up.

2

u/Fragrant_Blood_9287 1d ago

most people vastly underestimating how fast quantum tech is moving. i follow couple researchers on twitter and they hit milestones way ahead of schedule last year. the problem isnt if but when, and bitcoin moves slower than a glacier on this stuff

easier migration should be priority number one, keeping things simple is nice but wont matter if your coins get drained by some quantum attack nobody saw coming

1

u/anon1971wtf 1d ago edited 1d ago

keeping things simple is nice but wont matter if your coins get drained by some quantum attack nobody saw coming

On the flip-side good luck being sure that introduced quantum-proof signing and software to handle it won't have bugs, will be maintained, and won't leave coins locked years later. Fees long-term also begin to matter, these signatures will be much longer than the current ones

I like QuantumRoot as an initiative, but I certainly don't like how community handled SmartBCH. And on other chains abandonware is plenty

I certainly won't it rush in my case

1

u/Super_ChinG Redditor for less than 30 days 19h ago

I can see why you’d wait. A rushed upgrade could create problems of its own, especially when people’s funds are at stake...

-2

u/Super_ChinG Redditor for less than 30 days 1d ago

Agreed, migration should be a priority. xlink is built around linking existing wallet keys with quantum-resistant signing keys, which addresses part of that transition.

2

u/Bagmasterflash 1d ago

Ai is a much more imminent threat.

1

u/Super_ChinG Redditor for less than 30 days 19h ago

AI is a concern too, but quantum computing poses a different kind of risk to the cryptography securing digital assets.

1

u/anon1971wtf 1d ago

Migration is a side-issue to the real question. P2PK/exposed coins: freeze or free flow? I'd just follow the heaviest chain. Same goes for this or that method of quantum-proofing, most likely

1

u/Super_ChinG Redditor for less than 30 days 19h ago

The hard part is getting consensus on what happens to vulnerable coins without undermining Bitcoin’s core principles.

1

u/anon1971wtf 12h ago

Simple: heaviest chain is the core principle. Whichever will be most mined will be the consensus - either freeze or free flow. I am not expecting Bitcoin forks to exist on par for any length of time, I expect that one, some, will always be runaway dominant

Some people immiditely go to "what stops miners from removing supply cap". We already know - such forks of Bitcoin and restarted chains exist, miners are not betting on them, not burning energy, not making them the heaviest. Bitcoin is, with the supply cap