Quantum Alliance Forms as 6.4 Million Bitcoin Face a Possible Future Quantum Threat

Nine crypto firms have teamed up to create the Quantum Alliance, a group aiming to set shared security standards for Bitcoin, Ethereum and other networks. Members include Hacken, Midnight Foundation, Quantus and Postquant Labs. The group says about 6.4 million BTC, or 30.2% of supply, sit in wallets whose public keys are already visible. Those coins cannot be stolen today, since no current quantum machine is strong enough, but a future one could work out the private keys behind them. That includes roughly 1.1 million BTC linked to Satoshi Nakamoto. Quantus CEO Christopher Smith thinks whoever builds the first cryptographically relevant quantum computer may grab those coins, possibly with a government’s backing.

Freeze or Migrate Vulnerable Bitcoin

Coindesk reports, Carback prefers moving exposed coins rather than freezing them, and suggests a trust where owners could prove ownership and recover funds. Bennett argues a freeze is a governance call for the Bitcoin network, not the industry, and warns it would set a precedent on property rights. Changpeng Zhao and Jameson Lopp have floated limits on vulnerable coins, while critics say freezing breaks the promise that nobody can seize bitcoin.

Cost of Going Quantum Resistant

Replacing today’s signatures needs agreement from developers, miners, wallets, exchanges and users. Bennett says the real expense lies in coordination, not cryptography. Larger signatures could raise fees or cut throughput, though researchers are working on fixes. The Alliance plans to publish common security tests and migration guidance.