Bitcoin: Coinbase urges early preparation for a post-quantum transition
Coinbase, which says it holds about 5% of existing bitcoin in custody, has published ideas for preparing Bitcoin for signatures resistant to future quantum computers. The company says this migration could take several years and describes its post as input to an open discussion, not a final position. It points to P2MR (BIP-360) and P2TRv2, output formats designed to make signature mechanisms easier to evolve, as well as a staged transition combining classical and post-quantum signatures. The post treats dormant or inaccessible funds as a separate governance question so that discussion does not delay technical work. This is preparation for a future threat, not an announcement of an operational quantum vulnerability today.
Coinbase, which says it holds about 5% of existing bitcoin in custody, has published ideas for preparing Bitcoin for signatures resistant to future quantum computers. The company says this migration could take several years and describes its post as input to an open discussion, not a final position. It points to P2MR (BIP-360) and P2TRv2, output formats designed to make signature mechanisms easier to evolve, as well as a staged transition combining classical and post-quantum signatures. The post treats dormant or inaccessible funds as a separate governance question so that discussion does not delay technical work. This is preparation for a future threat, not an announcement of an operational quantum vulnerability today.