Bitcoin Developer Proposes a Quantum Trap for Hackers

Bitcoin Core developer Cory Fields on November 4 proposed quantum landmines to the Bitcoin Development Mailing List, a plan to make stealing older bitcoin vulnerable to quantum computers costly. Owners could hide a quantum-safe proof of ownership; anyone moving such coins after quantum attacks become possible would post an equal amount of bitcoin as collateral, held for a waiting period potentially 30 days. An owner could then reveal the proof, recover the coins and seize the deposit. Because the blockchain cannot distinguish an attacker from a legitimate owner, all movers of vulnerable coins would face the collateral requirement, including someone needing another 10 BTC to move 10 BTC. Fields floated auctions and permanent destruction for dormant holdings with lost keys.