Will quantum computers kill bitcoin?

In this episode, we sit down with Hunter Beast, a developer focused on making bitcoin quantum resistant. Hunter shares his journey from discovering bitcoin in 2017 to working on a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) aimed at securing the protocol against future quantum threats. We explore how quantum computers could compromise elliptic curve cryptography, why P2PK coins are at risk, how address reuse poses risks, and Hunter's proposed pay-to-quantum-resistant hash solution. He explains the challenges of implementing post-quantum cryptography, the trade-offs between security and efficiency, and the timeline for potential quantum threats. Hunter also discusses the importance of community collaboration on upgrades and how bitcoin can prepare for a secure future while maintaining its core values.SUPPORT THE PODCAST:→ Subscribe→ Leave a review→ Share the show with your friends and family→ Send us an email [email protected]→ Learn more about Unchained: https://unchained.com/?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Book a free call with a bitcoin expert: https://unchained.com/consultation?utm_source=youtube&utm_medium=video&utm_campaign=TBF-podcast-description→ Buy bitcoin in an IRA—sign up today and get your first year free: unchained.com/frontierTIMESTAMPS:00:00:00 - Intro00:01:02 - Meet Hunter: Bitcoin and quantum focus00:01:51 - Fixing money: Bitcoin's potential to fix the world00:03:06 - Real risks vs myths00:04:41 - Elliptic curve cryptography: Bitcoin’s security backbone00:06:08 - Why bitcoin matters: Grounding the digital world00:07:07 - Quantum risks: Shor's algorithm and private keys00:10:33 - Quantum threat: An existential risk to bitcoin00:11:44 - Resilience: Lessons from Carrington event00:12:57 - Quantum resistance00:14:26 - Hunter’s proposal: Pay-to-quantum-resistant hash00:17:04 - Public key risks: Old coins, mempool, reuse, taproot00:20:22 - Quantum solutions: SegWit v3 and new algorithms00:26:21 - Resistant addresses: Naming conventions and tips00:31:06 - Securing bitcoin with new cryptography00:34:06 - Signature challenges: Balancing security and block space00:37:07 - Future cryptography: Preparing for quantum security00:43:27 - Trade-offs of quantum-proof cryptography00:50:00 - Quantum risk timeline: Predictions and unknowns00:55:27 - Satoshi’s coins: Why not burn vulnerable addresses01:00:18 - Soft fork challenges: Consensus and activation risks01:03:10 - Closing thoughts: Hunter’s work and resourcesWHERE TO FOLLOW US:→ Unchained Twitter: https://twitter.com/unchainedcom→ Unchained LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/unchainedcom → Unchained Newsletter: https://unchained.com/newsletter → Joe Burnett’s Twitter: https://twitter.com/IIICapital→ Hunter Beast’s Twitter: https://x.com/cryptoquick