Presidio Bitcoin Tracks Quantum Threats to 6.51M BTC
Presidio Bitcoin published a living paper on Github tracking quantum computing threats to Bitcoin and defense strategies, building momentum from the July 2025 Quantum Bitcoin Summit.
Key Takeaway
One-third of Bitcoin's supply remains vulnerable to quantum attacks without post-quantum cryptography upgrades.
Presidio Bitcoin released a living report on Github yesterday covering Bitcoin's exposure to quantum computing attacks and the pathways to defend against them.
The Bay Area Bitcoin hub published the Quantum Readiness paper on April 14, examining the current state of quantum computing technologies, the value at risk from quantum attacks, and different implementation paths for post-quantum cryptography in Bitcoin. Presidio Bitcoin said on Twitter that the July 2025 Quantum Bitcoin Summit helped push the quantum discussion forward, and the new paper builds on that momentum by tracking exposure levels, mitigation options, upgrade paths, and transition scenarios.
Researchers at Chaincode Labs previously estimated that 6.51 million BTC — roughly one-third of Bitcoin's total supply — sits at risk due to address reuse, Taproot key-path spends, and legacy P2PK scripts. The Presidio paper analyzes post-quantum cryptographic schemes and Bitcoin-optimized variants that could protect these vulnerable coins, along with migration mechanisms to move funds to quantum-safe addresses.
The living report format means Presidio Bitcoin will update the document as quantum computing technology advances and new defense strategies emerge. Summit participants last July recommended eliminating address reuse, prioritizing upgrades like SPHINCS+ and Lifeboat, exploring throttling mechanisms for vulnerable coins, and using sidechains for testing post-quantum solutions.
The paper is hosted on Github as a knowledge repository for developers, researchers, and policy analysts tracking quantum threats. Presidio Bitcoin hosts ongoing discussions via BitDevs, Delving Bitcoin, and the organization's Discord channel, where contributors can propose updates to the living document.
Philanthropists Mark Casey and Wences Casares fund Presidio Bitcoin, which convened 80 researchers, developers, and industry leaders at the July 17-18 Quantum Bitcoin Summit held at a restored post-armory hall overlooking the Golden Gate Bridge.
This article was written based on reporting from Bitcoin Magazine.
