Bitcoin Core developer Cory Fields submitted a proposal on November 4, 2026, introducing 'quantum landmines' to protect vulnerable coins against future quantum computing attacks. With roughly 7.1 million BTC—35% of circulating supply—exposed to potential public-key exploitation, the thought experiment requires attackers to post matching collateral that owners can seize during a 30-day window. However, the system also forces honest holders to supply equal collateral to move their funds.
Cory Fields's quantum landmines proposal
- ▪Bitcoin Core developer Cory Fields submitted a proposal called 'quantum landmines' to deter quantum computer theft
- ▪Cory Fields described the quantum landmines framework as a thought experiment that relies on quantum-safe wallets and soft-fork enforcement rules that are not yet written or finalized
Mechanics of the quantum landmine trap
- ▪Quantum landmines utilize a commit/reveal mechanism where an owner secretly prepares a trap in a quantum-safe format before quantum attacks become possible
- ▪Under Cory Fields' proposed landmine rules, stealing 1 BTC using quantum attacks requires matching 1 BTC collateral from a quantum-safe wallet, locking both for 30 days while the legitimate Bitcoin owner reveals secret proof to reclaim funds and forfeit collateral
- ▪Because the Bitcoin network cannot distinguish between a quantum thief and a true owner, legitimate holders moving vulnerable legacy Bitcoin under Cory Fields' quantum landmine proposal would also be forced to post equal matching collateral
Quantum risk to legacy Bitcoin addresses
- ▪Satoshi Nakamoto's early Bitcoin holdings are among the potential targets vulnerable to quantum key-reversal attacks because early transactions exposed their public keys onchain
- ▪As of early November 2026, approximately 7.1 million Bitcoin, representing roughly 35% of the circulating supply, sat in legacy addresses with exposed public keys vulnerable to quantum computer attacks
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