Due to exposed public keys, old addresses (P2PK) will become easy targets for quantum attacks. In the Bitcoin network, approximately 1.7 million BTC are at risk, including assets belonging to Satoshi Nakamoto, according to a report from the Coinbase Quantum Advisory Council on digital asset migration.

In total, up to 7 million BTC could be threatened. Experts have identified three scenarios to address the issue:

  1. Asset Burning. Setting a deadline for transferring funds to secure addresses. After this deadline, access to old wallets will be blocked.
  2. Preserving Rights. Avoiding interference with network operations. This will protect ownership rights but pose risks to market stability.
  3. Intermediate Options. Limiting the withdrawal speed from old addresses or using special proofs of ownership.

As a compromise, the council proposed several mechanisms:

  • Hourglass: limiting the amount of funds that can be withdrawn from old addresses in a single block to prevent market crashes;
  • BIP-361: using ZK-proofs to confirm ownership of old keys without revealing them;
  • PACTs: creating secure commitments for fund transfers before the quantum threat emerges.

The council noted that the technical aspects of transitioning to post-quantum cryptography are clear. The challenges lie in governance and achieving consensus within the community.

The report's authors recommended that developers begin preparing migration protocols now, even though quantum computers do not currently pose a real threat.

As a reminder, in December 2025, analyst Willy Woo stated that Bitcoin veterans would buy up Satoshi Nakamoto's coins in the event of a quantum attack.