Replying to Avatar Clayton

Can we talk about quantum threat to bitcoin?

I understand that it is years away, but won't it take years to upgrade bitcoin? Isn't this where we need to be focused instead of waiting until its a real threat?

Most of you on here are much more informed than I am. What's the current status on the quantum threat to bitcoin and potential long-term solutions?
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modulo 2mo ago đź’¬ 1

First get this right.

https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/post-quantum-cryptography

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Clayton 2mo ago đź’¬ 1

Yes, I understand that. And many have argued that if bitcoin is breakable, many other things would have been broken first (like bank accounts). However, a centralized organization or company will more easily and quickly adapt than a decentralized one, correct?

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modulo 2mo ago đź’¬ 1

Not necessarily.

And who is doing the breaking, realistically?

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Clayton 2mo ago đź’¬ 1

I think when it comes to a network like bitcoin you have to always assume the worst and assume that a bad actor with enough resources will try to break bitcoin. What that actually looks like, I don't know.

I remember hearing from someone about moving bitcoin to quantum resistant addresses (way over my pay grade) or something and the shear amount of time it would take to move all bitcoin with the limited block space means that an upgrade of that type would take many many years.

Again, over my head but I would think that instead of discussing how quantum isn't a realistic threat right now we should address what to do if it is in 10+ years.

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modulo 2mo ago

I don’t fear it (and I’m not saying you do), and there is work being done in bitcoin space, as well. Look up “post quantum bitcoin github” for example, but there are other groups, as well.

Cheers!