Coinbase Proposes a Strategy to Protect Bitcoin from Quantum Computing Threats

Ринки 18.10.2026    13:07

The U.S. cryptocurrency exchange Coinbase has presented proposals to modernize Bitcoin’s security system to protect digital assets from potential threats associated with the development of quantum computing.

According to the document “Working Together on Bitcoin’s Post-Quantum Readiness,” the company believes it is necessary to begin preparing Bitcoin’s infrastructure for the transition to post-quantum cryptographic algorithms well before the emergence of computers capable of overcoming existing digital signature mechanisms.

According to Coinbase’s estimates, such a transition could take several years and will require coordinated efforts among protocol developers, cryptocurrency exchanges, custodial companies, hardware wallet manufacturers, and users.

This issue is of particular importance to the institutional segment of the cryptocurrency market. According to Coinbase’s own data, the company holds approximately 12% of all existing bitcoins. With Bitcoin’s maximum supply set at 21 million coins, this share corresponds to approximately 2.52 million BTC. It is important to note that this figure refers to client assets under management, not the exchange’s own investment reserves.

Currently, the security of Bitcoin transactions is ensured by the ECDSA and Schnorr cryptographic algorithms. The emergence of sufficiently powerful quantum computers could theoretically make it possible to derive private keys from public keys, which would put a portion of cryptocurrency assets at risk.

Coinbase believes that the upgrade should not only involve the implementation of new digital signature algorithms but also the protection of existing wallets, ensuring compatibility with the payment infrastructure, and the development of mechanisms for the gradual transfer of funds.

The company proposes considering the use of hybrid cryptographic schemes, in which the same amount can be protected by both traditional and post-quantum digital signatures.

This approach would potentially allow users to transition to new security technologies without immediately abandoning the existing infrastructure.

A separate issue remains the fate of bitcoins held in old addresses, including wallets from the early years of the cryptocurrency’s existence.

For some of these addresses, public keys are already available on the blockchain, which potentially increases their vulnerability to future quantum attacks.

At the same time, some funds are held in inactive or lost wallets, whose owners will not be able to transfer the coins to new addresses on their own.

Coinbase believes it is necessary to discuss potential mechanisms for protecting such assets separately. Among the approaches being considered are additional methods for verifying ownership of funds, restrictions on certain transactions, and procedures for regaining control.

At the same time, the company emphasizes that the proposed solutions remain the subject of technical discussion and do not constitute an already approved change to the Bitcoin protocol.

Coinbase suggests paying particular attention to the selection of post-quantum algorithms, taking into account the size of digital signatures, the speed of their verification, the load on the blockchain, and compatibility with multi-party cryptographic key management systems.

Since data on the Bitcoin blockchain is stored permanently, an increase in signature size could lead to higher transaction fees and reduced network throughput.

The company also participates in the Bitcoin Security Consortium and supports open research in the field of post-quantum cryptography.

According to Coinbase, creating an effective security system will require a prolonged transition period during which traditional and new cryptographic mechanisms can be used simultaneously.

However, this publication does not imply that quantum computers are already capable of mass-hacking Bitcoin wallets. The focus is on preparing for potential technological threats, the timeline for the practical realization of which remains uncertain.

Coinbase Global Inc. is one of the largest U.S. cryptocurrency companies, founded in 2012. It operates digital asset trading platforms and provides institutional cryptocurrency custody services, payment infrastructure, and cryptocurrency derivatives trading. The company’s shares trade on Nasdaq under the ticker symbol COIN.

 

 

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