Bitcoin BIP Targets Quantum Threat with 2030 Upgrade Plan

Bitcoin BIP Proposes Quantum-Resistant Upgrade by 2030

A new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) seeks to future-proof the network against the looming threat of quantum computing by phasing out legacy signature schemes in favor of quantum-resistant alternatives.

Titled “Post Quantum Migration and Legacy Signature Sunset,” the proposal was introduced this week by a team of blockchain and cryptography experts, including Jameson Lopp, an American software engineer, and Christian Papathanasiou, founder of BitcoinQS.

Although quantum computers capable of breaking Bitcoin’s cryptography don’t yet exist, experts warn the timeline is shrinking. McKinsey forecasts suggest that such machines could emerge as early as 2027–2030, raising alarms across the industry.

Bitcoin currently relies on ECDSA and Schnorr signatures to validate transactions. However, roughly 25% of all unspent Bitcoin outputs have already revealed public keys on-chain — leaving those funds especially vulnerable to quantum attacks.

“A successful quantum attack on Bitcoin would result in significant economic disruption and damage across the entire ecosystem,” the proposal states. “Beyond price impact, the ability of miners to secure the network could be severely compromised.”

Phased Transition to Quantum-Resistant Security

The BIP outlines a multi-phase transition plan to safeguard Bitcoin’s infrastructure.

• Phase 1 would prevent new BTC transactions from using legacy, vulnerable addresses — particularly those whose public keys are already exposed.
• Phase 2, expected roughly five years later, would disable the ability to spend BTC from these older addresses, effectively freezing the coins.
• A potential Phase 3, still under research, might allow users to recover frozen BTC by proving ownership via cryptographic proofs derived from wallet backup phrases.

The authors stress the urgency of early action:

“The longer we postpone migration, the harder it becomes to coordinate,” the proposal argues. “A clear, time-boxed plan introduces certainty, aligns stakeholders, and reduces the risk of catastrophic quantum theft.”

Quantum Threat Looms Larger

In a recent opinion piece for Cointelegraph, Naoris Protocol CEO David Carvalho described quantum computing as the most serious existential threat to Bitcoin’s long-term security.

He pointed to breakthroughs such as Microsoft’s Majorana chip as evidence of accelerated progress in quantum hardware. These machines function fundamentally differently than classical computers and pose a direct challenge to Bitcoin’s core cryptographic assumptions.

According to Carvalho, around 30% of all Bitcoin resides in addresses susceptible to quantum compromise:

“A breach would be catastrophic for holders, whose funds would be gone forever,” he warned. “The true danger isn’t quantum itself — it’s the community’s hesitation to take decisive, proactive steps.”

A Call to Action for a Quantum-Safe Bitcoin

This proposal joins a growing wave of efforts aimed at securing Bitcoin against emerging technological threats. With over $2.3 trillion in market value at stake and millions of users depending on its integrity, the network’s ability to adapt before the quantum clock runs out could define its long-term survival.