Bitcoin Core developer Cory Fields floated “quantum landmines” that could make future quantum thieves risk their own coins.
On November 5, 2026, Cory Fields posted “Quantum Landmines and Vulnerable Coin Auctions” to the bitcoin-dev mailing list. The thought experiment targets wallets whose public keys are already exposed — coins a powerful quantum computer could theoretically drain by deriving the private key. Under his example, moving 1 BTC from a vulnerable output would require matching collateral from a quantum-safe wallet, both locked for about 30 days.
Before that day arrives, an owner could plant a hidden quantum-safe “landmine” proving prior key ownership. If an attacker tries to steal the coins, the owner can reveal the proof during the lock window, reclaim their bitcoin, and claim the attacker’s collateral. Lost coins without active keys would not get that rescue path. Fields stressed the ideas need quantum-safe wallets and consensus rules that do not exist yet. $BTC
#Bitcoin #Quantum #Security
DYOR. Not financial advice.
On November 5, 2026, Cory Fields posted “Quantum Landmines and Vulnerable Coin Auctions” to the bitcoin-dev mailing list. The thought experiment targets wallets whose public keys are already exposed — coins a powerful quantum computer could theoretically drain by deriving the private key. Under his example, moving 1 BTC from a vulnerable output would require matching collateral from a quantum-safe wallet, both locked for about 30 days.
Before that day arrives, an owner could plant a hidden quantum-safe “landmine” proving prior key ownership. If an attacker tries to steal the coins, the owner can reveal the proof during the lock window, reclaim their bitcoin, and claim the attacker’s collateral. Lost coins without active keys would not get that rescue path. Fields stressed the ideas need quantum-safe wallets and consensus rules that do not exist yet. $BTC
#Bitcoin #Quantum #Security
DYOR. Not financial advice.
