While most users still trust the 'steel' security of Bitcoin, a silent threat is getting closer every day – quantum computers. And Agustin Cruz, a Bitcoin developer from Chile, is trying to act before disaster strikes.
Quantum computers: The potential enemy of Bitcoin
Currently, Bitcoin uses a cryptographic algorithm called #ECDSA (Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm) to ensure that only the legitimate owner can spend the BTC in their wallet.
However, according to computer scientists and cryptographers, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could break ECDSA in just a few hours, something that even the most powerful classical supercomputers would take billions of years to accomplish.
If this happens, public keys previously used in past transactions could be reverse-engineered to find the private key, leading to unauthorized Bitcoin theft.
QRAMP: A solution to protect Bitcoin from quantum computers
Agustin Cruz has submitted an improvement proposal for Bitcoin (#BIP ) called QRAMP – Quantum-Resistant Address Migration Protocol.
How it works:
Instead of exposing the public key right from the start, the new Bitcoin address will hide the public key until the transaction is made.
When the transaction occurs, even if the public key is exposed, it is alreadytoo late for the hacker, as the BTC has already been transferred.
Cruz believes that without measures like QRAMP, millions of BTC sitting in old addresses could be attacked simultaneously – something he calls 'systemic risk'.
"I feel the need to act early, rather than wait for a crisis to erupt and everyone has to rush to save the network." – Agustin Cruz shared with Decrypt.
What impact will QRAMP have on users?
#QRAMP is not just a technical solution – it is also a social problem:
Users need to move all BTC from old addresses to new quantum-resistant addresses before a set deadline.
This requires wallet software upgrades, updates to transaction monitoring tools, and thorough testing on the testnet before widespread deployment.
To avoid losing money due to incorrect operations, Cruz proposes an extended migration period, supported by exchanges and user-friendly automation tools.
Nonetheless, any significant change like this could divide the community or lead to a hard fork – something that Bitcoin's history has witnessed before.
"The key lies in transparent communication, clearly explaining the risks of inaction, and ensuring the community has enough time to prepare," Cruz said.
Not just Bitcoin – other blockchains are also cautious
Cruz is not the only one concerned about the quantum prospect:
Vitalik Buterin, co-founder of Ethereum, once proposed an urgent hard fork to combat quantum attacks, including:
Restore the attacked block.
Pause transactions.
Deploy a new, more secure authentication mechanism.
Solana also implemented an optional feature called Winternitz Vault in January 2025, using a method of generating multiple private keys and resetting them after each transaction to combat quantum attacks.
How much time do we have left?
Currently, no sufficiently powerful quantum computer to break Bitcoin exists. But no one can be sure when that will change.
Cruz believes that:
"The issue is not the probability of occurrence – but the level of devastation if it happens. A successful quantum attack could completely undermine trust in Bitcoin."
Some experts even believe that quantum computers will be used for mining coins rather than hacking, but Cruz does not want to bet on that.
Conclusion: Prepare in advance or face a crisis later?
QRAMP is still a proposal – not yet officially approved – but it raises a big question for the entire Bitcoin community:
Should we prepare early for the future, or wait for a crisis before responding?
Despite ongoing debates, the fact is that technology is advancing faster than ever. And if Bitcoin wants to survive for many decades to come, it might be time to seriously consider the threat from quantum.
Note: This is a summary article, not an investment recommendation. The crypto market is full of potential but also poses many risks and is not suitable for all investors.
