TechTrump Issues Executive Orders for Quantum Computing Development and Defense
The White House has announced two executive orders aimed at boosting the development of large-scale quantum computing in the U.S. while enhancing protections against potential threats posed by such technologies.
By Omkar Godbole, AI BoostUpdated Jun 23, 2026, 5:26 a.m. Published Jun 23, 2026, 5:15 a.m. 2 min readMake preferred on ShareShare this articleCopy linkX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailMake preferred on
Trump signs executive orders to enhance quantum technologies. (Credit: Library of Congress on Unsplash/Modified by CoinDesk)SummaryShow
- The White House has issued two executive orders aimed at advancing U.S. capabilities in large-scale quantum computing while also strengthening defenses against potential quantum-enabled attacks on encryption.
- The first order emphasizes the construction of quantum capabilities, instructing the Department of Energy to establish at least one advanced quantum computer and directing the Pentagon to prioritize deploying next-gen quantum sensors by 2028.
- The second order mandates a comprehensive transition to post-quantum cryptography, requiring federal agencies to secure their key establishment processes by 2030.
The U.S. government aims to develop a quantum computer—an incredibly fast machine that could potentially compromise the security of the Bitcoin BTC$63,290.84 blockchain—while also reinforcing its defenses against such threats.
On Monday, the White House announced two executive directives. One focuses on the development of quantum computing technology, while the other seeks to establish safeguards against the risks associated with these technologies.
The Development Order
Executive Order 14411 advocates for the QC-ADDS initiative, which aims to create a large-scale quantum computer, with the goal of delivering at least one such machine to a Department of Energy facility and, if feasible, making it accessible to the scientific community.
Additionally, the order instructs the Pentagon to deploy quantum sensors by 2028, outlining plans for workforce development and supply chain management.
"Within 60 days of this order, the Secretary of War must identify at least three priority projects for next-generation quantum sensors to ensure their deployment by September 30, 2028," the order specifies.
The Defense Order
Executive Order 14409 addresses concerns regarding the potential of quantum computers to undermine current encryption standards once they reach sufficient power.
The order warns that adversaries might already be gathering encrypted U.S. data, which could be decrypted in the future using quantum computing technology.
This scenario is known as the "harvest now, decrypt later" dilemma—securing data today that could be compromised later when the appropriate technology becomes available.
The proposed solution involves a rigorous timeline for transitioning to post-quantum cryptography (PQC). Federal agencies are required to implement PQC for their most sensitive systems by the end of 2030 and for digital signatures by the end of 2031.
This means that the government plans to update its secure encryption methods to protect against future quantum computer threats.
The Cryptocurrency Perspective
Quantum computing has gained traction in the cryptocurrency sector after Google researchers indicated that a sufficiently powerful quantum machine could potentially breach Bitcoin's blockchain with far less computational power than previously thought.
A paper published in March, co-authored by researchers from the Ethereum Foundation and Stanford University, suggested that breaking the elliptic curve cryptography securing Bitcoin and Ethereum could require fewer than 500,000 physical qubits—significantly lower than earlier estimates.
Google has set 2029 as its target for transitioning its systems to post-quantum cryptography, a timeline also adopted by Ethereum. Various other blockchain networks, including Bitcoin, are considering their own strategies to enhance security.
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