Coinbase releases Bitcoin anti-quantum upgrade proposal: calls for early planning of multi-year migration path

Coinbase released a technical discussion article on Bitcoin's Post-Quantum Readiness, stating that Bitcoin needs to proactively address the cryptographic risks posed by quantum computing in the future and recommends that the community begin relevant migration preparations as soon as possible.

Coinbase believes that Bitcoin's quantum-resistant upgrade involves not only selecting new quantum-resistant signature algorithms but also considering factors such as block space limitations, full node validation capabilities, institutional custody needs, ordinary wallet compatibility, and solutions for handling funds that cannot be migrated. Bitcoin should consider introducing output structures that support quantum-resistant signatures and explore hybrid solutions, such as allowing the same funds to have both traditional ECDSA/Schnorr signatures and quantum-resistant signatures as authorization paths for a smooth transition.

Additionally, Coinbase emphasizes that the quantum migration will take years, and the community should complete preparations before the threat of quantum computing truly emerges. For BTC funds that have not migrated for a long time, lost private keys, or exposed public keys, Coinbase believes that solutions should still be sought through governance and technical discussions.