<p>While there seems to be progress on quantum computing especially lately, from what I understand, quantum capabilities are still magnitudes away from being relevant to Bitcoin security. There recently were some post-quantum signature schemes published by NIST that garnered some interest in the Bitcoin community. It might be years or decades until quantum computing becomes actually relevant.</p>
<p>There is nobody in particular in charge of anything. However, there are some people working on a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal which aims to introduce a quantum-resistant output type: <a href="https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/1670" rel="nofollow noreferrer">BIP-360: Pay to Quantum Resistant Hash</a>. I’m sure as quantum computing improves, so will the interest in working on post-quantum security.</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-12-28T15:06:43.093Z
Thank you.  Something does not add up, somehow.  Maybe this is the Achilles heel of decentralization: no one is in charge of averting the potential sudden loss of billions of dollars' worth of value.  Or maybe I am greatly overestimating the risks.
kjo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-12-29T14:03:11.740Z
@kjo: You mean, unlike assets with centralised responsibility for security such as the Venezuelan Bolivar, Enron and Lehrman brothers? :-)
RedGrittyBrick
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-12-31T21:05:38.100Z
@RedGrittyBrick: ever heard of "necessary but not sufficient"?
kjo
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-12-28T14:40:34.603Z
2024-12-30T15:28:42.673Z
2024-12-30T15:28:42.673Z
Murch
<p>A <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/22/what-google-quantum-chip-breakthrough-means-for-bitcoins-future.html" rel="nofollow noreferrer">recent article</a> on the potential threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) quotes an industry strategist:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>...the crypto industry is working on &quot;quantum-safe&quot; crypto.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>The article also says:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released several quantum-safe algorithms that are resistant to attacks by future quantum computers, ..., and NIST has a timeline for governments and industry to deploy these algorithms to ensure the safety of the nation’s and businesses secrets.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>I have not been able to find what is being done to make Bitcoin, in particular, quantum-safe.  Can someone point me to what is being done in this regard?</p>

CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-12-28T13:27:27.830Z
What do you mean by "in charge of"? Are you asking [who is in charge](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/99902/13866)
RedGrittyBrick
CC BY-SA 4.0
2024-12-29T10:15:17.633Z
@RedGrittyBrick: I reworded my question in vaguer terms.  I hope you find this rewording more acceptable.
kjo
<quantum-computing>
What exactly is being done today to make Bitcoin "quantum-safe"?
kjo
# What exactly is being done today to make Bitcoin "quantum-safe"?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2024-12-27)

A [recent article](https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/22/what-google-quantum-chip-breakthrough-means-for-bitcoins-future.html) on the potential threat of quantum computing to Bitcoin (and other cryptocurrencies) quotes an industry strategist:

> ...the crypto industry is working on "quantum-safe" crypto.

The article also says:

> The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has released several quantum-safe algorithms that are resistant to attacks by future quantum computers, ..., and NIST has a timeline for governments and industry to deploy these algorithms to ensure the safety of the nation’s and businesses secrets.

I have not been able to find what is being done to make Bitcoin, in particular, quantum-safe. Can someone point me to what is being done in this regard?

**Tags:** quantum-computing

> **Comments:**
> **username_1**: What do you mean by "in charge of"? Are you asking [who is in charge](https://bitcoin.stackexchange.com/q/99902/13866)  
> **username_0**: @username_1: I reworded my question in vaguer terms.  I hope you find this rewording more acceptable.  

---

## 1 answers

### Answer by username_2 on 2024-12-28. Score: 2

While there seems to be progress on quantum computing especially lately, from what I understand, quantum capabilities are still magnitudes away from being relevant to Bitcoin security. There recently were some post-quantum signature schemes published by NIST that garnered some interest in the Bitcoin community. It might be years or decades until quantum computing becomes actually relevant.

There is nobody in particular in charge of anything. However, there are some people working on a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal which aims to introduce a quantum-resistant output type: [BIP-360: Pay to Quantum Resistant Hash](https://github.com/bitcoin/bips/pull/1670). I’m sure as quantum computing improves, so will the interest in working on post-quantum security.

> **Comments:**
> **username_0**: Thank you.  Something does not add up, somehow.  Maybe this is the Achilles heel of decentralization: no one is in charge of averting the potential sudden loss of billions of dollars' worth of value.  Or maybe I am greatly overestimating the risks.  
> **username_1**: @username_0: You mean, unlike assets with centralised responsibility for security such as the Venezuelan Bolivar, Enron and Lehrman brothers? :-)  
> **username_0**: @username_1: ever heard of "necessary but not sufficient"?  

---

