Bitcoin could be on his way to his most celebrating cryptographic overhaul still if a new proposal gets traction.

A draft of Bitcoin -Enhancing Proposal (BIP) entitled Quantum-resistant address migration protocol (Qramp) has been introduced by developer Agustin Cruz. It outlines a plan to enforce a network-covering migration of BTC from older wallets to those secured with post quantum cryptography.

Quantum calculation involves moving away from a process that depends on binary code, them and zeros, and exponentially increase in computer power by using quantum bits (QUBITS) found in multiple states simultaneously. Such a jump in power is expected to threaten modern computer encryption built by classic machines.

The proposal suggests that after a predetermined block height, nodes running the updated software would reject any transaction that tries to use coins from an address using ECDSA cryptography, which could theoretically make it vulnerable to quantum attacks.

A hard fork debate

Bitcoin is currently dependent on algorithms, including SHA-256 for mining and the elliptical curve signature algorithm (ECDSA) for signatures. Per Cruz, there are the inheritance addresses that have not yet been completed, protected by additional layers, while those who have postponed their public keys – necessary to carry out transactions – can now be vulnerable “if sufficient powerful quantum computers occur.”

The move would require a hard fork, which is likely to be a high question from the community. A hard fork refers to a change to a blockchain that makes an older version incompatible.

“I admire the effort, but this will still leave anyone who doesn’t wander coins, like Satoshi’s coins,” said a Reddit user about the new proposal.

“Bitcoin could implement a post quantity security for all coins, but it would need a hard fork that, due to Bitcoin’s history and the mantra repeated by Maxis, who would create a new coin and would not be bitcoin anymore.”

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Preventive measure

The proposed solution sets a migration deadline to lock these funds unless they are moved to a safer wallet. This proposal is not a response to any impending breakthrough in quantum calculation. Instead, it is a preventative measure, but still it comes just over a month after Microsoft revealed Majorana 1, a quantum treatment unit designed to scale to one million Qubits per year. Chip.

Under a migration window, users would still be able to move money freely. BIP calls for wallet developers, blocking explorers and “other infrastructure” to build tools and warnings to help users comply.

After the deadline, non-upgraded nodes could fork from the network if they continue to accept older transactions.

This is not the first time anyone has suggested a mechanism to defend Bitcoin from quantum calculation threats. Most recently, BTQ, a startup that works to build blockchain technology that can withstand quantum computers attacks, suggested an alternative to the proof of work (POW) algorithm involving quantum technology.

In its research article, BTQ suggested a method called coarse-grained Boson testing (CGBS). This process uses light particles (bosons) to generate unique pattern-sampla-there reflects blockchain’s current state instead of hash-based math riddles.

However, this proposal would also require a hard fork involving miners and nodes that replace their existing ASIC-based hardware with quantum-ready infrastructure.

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