Bitcoin Devs Suggest Freezing Quantum-Vulnerable Wallets

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Bitcoin Devs Introduce Plan to Freeze Quantum-Vulnerable Wallets

Written by Aaron S.,

Editor-In-Chief

Last Updated: July 16, 2025

Key Takeaways

Bitcoin developers proposed phasing out vulnerable crypto wallets to guard against future quantum attacks;
The plan blocks new transfers first, then freezes old coins after five years if not upgraded;
Around 25% of Bitcoin, including Satoshi’s, could be exposed if quantum computers break wallet keys.

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Bitcoin Devs Introduce Plan to Freeze Quantum-Vulnerable Wallets

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A group of Bitcoin BTC $118,325.77 developers has introduced Bitcoin Improvement Proposals (BIPs) to help protect the network from risks posed by quantum computers.

Led by Casa’s co-founder and CTO, Jameson Lopp, the proposal suggests changes to Bitcoin’s code that would slowly block the use of crypto wallets seen as weak against future quantum attacks.

The plan would make it more difficult for people to continue using outdated wallets. Those who do not upgrade to more secure wallet types would, over time, lose the ability to send or spend their Bitcoin.

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First, it would stop users from sending Bitcoin to addresses that could be exposed to quantum attacks. After five years, Bitcoin held in those older addresses would not be allowed to move at all. An optional third step could help figure out how to recover frozen Bitcoin using safer technology.

This idea was released during the Quantum Bitcoin Summit, a private meeting in San Francisco focused on future-proofing Bitcoin against changes in computing power.

According to a report by Deloitte, the developers noted that only about 25% of all Bitcoins are at risk, which includes that belonging to Bitcoin’s anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto.

The concern is that quantum computers might one day be able to figure out wallet keys and unlock Bitcoins that were thought to be secure. If that happens, many old and unused Bitcoins could suddenly hit the market.

Recently, Bitcoin Core 30 announced it will remove the OP_RETURN limit, which allows 4 megabytes of data per output starting October 30. What did the developers say about this change? Read the full story.