Bitcoin developer proposes collateral traps to deter quantum attacks on wallets

A Bitcoin developer has proposed a way to make quantum attacks on bitcoin a losing bet for the attacker. According to CoinDesk and Decrypt, Cory Fields wants anyone who tries to move vulnerable bitcoin to post matching bitcoin as collateral first. The idea is meant to deter quantum attackers from touching wallets that are exposed to such attacks.

The design targets owners who prepare in advance. If an attacker tries to take vulnerable coins, a prepared owner could move both the coins and the collateral. Decrypt says this would let owners recover their coins and collect a penalty from the attacker, which it describes as potentially costly. CoinDesk calls the mechanism landmines, a term for traps set for thieves.

The reports describe a proposal only. They do not say that the bitcoin network has adopted it, and they give no timeline for any change. The excerpts we reviewed also do not explain how many wallets could be affected, how the collateral would be locked in practice, or what it would cost owners who are not attacked. Readers should treat the idea as an early discussion rather than a settled rule.