Bitcoin could go to his most radical cryptographic review, but a new proposal gains traction.
A Bitcoin (BIP) improvement proposal draft entitled MIGRATION PROTOCOL OF DIRECTIONS RESISTANT TO THE QUANTITY QUANTITY (QRAMP) has been introduced by developer Agustin Cruz. Describe a plan to enforce BTC migration throughout the network of wallets inherited to those insured by the previous cryptography.
Quantum computing involves moving away from a process that depends on the binary code, and zeros, and exponentially increases the computer power by using quantum bits (qubits) that exist in multiple states simultaneously. It is expected that such a jump in power threatens modern computer encryption built by classic machines.
The proposal suggests that after a default block height, the nodes that execute the updated software would reject any transaction that tries to spend coins from an address using ECDSA cryptography, which could theoretically make it vulnerable to quantum attacks.
A hard bifurcation debate
Bitcoin is currently based on algorithms, including SHA-256 for mining and digital signature algorithm of the elliptical curve (ECDSA) for signatures. According to Cruz, the inherited addresses that have not yet made transactions are protected by additional layers, while those that have exposed their public keys, necessary to perform transactions, can now be vulnerable “if sufficiently powerful quantum computers arise.”
The measure would require a hard bifurcation, which will probably be a high community question. A hard fork refers to a change to a block chain that makes an earlier version incompatible.
“I admire the effort, but this will still leave all those who do not migrate Vunerer’s coins, including Satoshi’s coins,” said a Reddit user about the new proposal.
“Bitcoin could implement post quantum security for all coins, but that would need a hard fork, which due to the history of Bitcoin and the mantra repeated by maxis that would create a new currency and would no longer be Bitcoin.”
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Preventive measure
The proposed solution establishes a migration deadline to block those funds unless they are transferred to a safer wallet. This proposal is not an response to any imminent advance in quantum computing. On the other hand, it is a preventive measure, however, there is just over a month after Microsoft announced Majorana 1, a quantum processing unit designed to climb to a million qubits per chip.
During a migration window, users could still move funds freely. BIP requires wallet developers, block explorers and “other infrastructure” to create tools and warnings to help users meet.
After the deadline, the unrevend nodes could disburse from the network if they continue to accept inherited transactions.
This is not the first time that someone suggested a mechanism to defend bitcoin of quantum computing threats. More recently, BTQ, a startup that works to build blockchain technology that can resist quantum computers attacks, has proposed an alternative to the work test algorithm (POW) that involves quantum technology.
In his research work, BTQ proposed a method called sampling of thick grain bosons (CGBS). This process uses light particles (bosons) to generate unique patterns, samples, which reflect the current state of the block chain instead of the Math Broadcasts based on the hash.
However, this proposal would also require a hard bifurcation that involves miners and nodes that replace their existing Hardware based on ASIC with infrastructure ready for quantum amount.
Read more: Quantum Startup BTQ proposes a more energy efficient alternative to Crypto’s work
