Bitcoin quantum resistance plan targets 2029 as attack risk halves

Bitcoin’s math problem is a machine that hasn’t been built yet — but that hasn’t stopped developers from moving anyway. Bitcoin quantum resistance has jumped from a theoretical debate to an active engineering priority, after developers published a roadmap aimed at shielding the network from quantum computers before they become powerful enough to break its cryptography. The timing isn’t random: new research shared this week shows the computing power needed for a future quantum attack on Bitcoin and Ethereum has already dropped by more than half compared with estimates from just months earlier.

Key takeaways

• Bitcoin developers, led by Christine Kim, published a post-quantum security roadmap detailing interventions including BIP-360, SHRINCS, Lifeboat, and Dropkick.
• The stated goal is to make Bitcoin quantum-resistant by December 2029.
• A new research paper shared with CoinDesk shows the estimated workload for a key step in a quantum attack on Bitcoin and Ethereum has fallen more than 50% below a benchmark Google Quantum AI published in March.
• Microsoft, Cloudflare, and Google are targeting the same December 2029 deadline for migrating to post-quantum cryptography.
• XRP is targeting 2028 for its own four-phase security framework, while Ethereum is also aiming for December 2029.