Bitcoin Developers Push BIP-360 to Counter Quantum Computing Threats

For Bitcoin, the march toward becoming a global reserve asset has faced one persistent existential question: what happens when quantum computers become powerful enough to crack its cryptography?

A new proposal for Bitcoin, BIP-360, aims to answer this, potentially clearing the final hurdle for institutional adoption.

The primary motivation behind these upgrades is the theoretical threat posed by quantum computers running Shor’s algorithm, which could eventually crack the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) currently used to secure

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transactions.

While experts generally believe immediate risks are low, sufficient quantum power could allow attackers to derive private keys from public keys exposed on the blockchain.

This proactive approach to protocol defense mirrors broader security initiatives in the crypto space, such as Vitalik Buterin and Ethereum OGs’ focus on security funds, emphasising that preparation for cryptographic vulnerabilities must happen long before the threat materialises.

By shifting toward hash-based security now, developers aim to build a “quantum bridge” for the network.

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What is BIP-360? A Quantum Shield for the Bitcoin Network

The BIP-360 Bitcoin proposal, which evolved from earlier iterations known as P2TSH (Pay-to-Tapscript-Hash), specifically targets the “key-path” spend mechanism in Taproot.

Standard Taproot outputs expose a tweaked public key, creating a potential vector for quantum computers to calculate the private key.  P2MR circumvents this by strictly committing to the Merkle root of a Tapscript tree without including an internal public key.

According to the BIP 360 draft, this structure preserves the flexibility of smart contracts, allowing for complex spending conditions via the script path, while ensuring that the output remains a 32-byte hash until it is spent.

Because hashing algorithms are generally considered more quantum-secure than elliptic curve signatures, this method offers significantly higher quantum resistance. The outputs are tagged as “TapBranch” and maintain compatibility with much of the existing wallet architecture used for Tapscript.

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Impact on Network and Timeline

BIP-360 is currently a draft and would require a soft fork for activation, a process that historically involves extensive vetting.

While it represents a conservative “first step” effectively reusing existing opcodes, it signals a maturity in Bitcoin development similar to the infrastructure evolution that enabled major institutional payments on the Lightning Network.

Discussions are ongoing on developer mailing lists regarding the implementation specifics. As the broader industry battles immediate threats like sophisticated wallet drainers, protocol-level upgrades like BIP-360 ensure that the foundation of the network remains secure against the generational threat of quantum computing.

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Bitcoin Hyper: The L2 Engine for the Super Cycle

This BIP-360 Bitcoin update could trigger a massive repricing event. If Bitcoin is mathematically secure for the next century, its value proposition as “digital gold” is cemented.

In this context, current price volatility looks like noise before a structural repricing that could align with the wildest bull case scenarios.

While the main chain focuses on impenetrable security, the transaction layer is heating up. Binance founder CZ has recently alluded to a “Bitcoin Super Cycle” driven by utility and adoption.

As Bitcoin solidifies its role as a store of value, users need a fast, cheap way to actually utilize that capital. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is the first Bitcoin Layer-2 solution built on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), bringing sub-second transaction speeds to the Bitcoin ecosystem.

The project has already raised $31 million in its presale. Investors can currently buy 1 HYPER for $0.0136755. The platform also offers 37% staking rewards for early participants.

Bitcoin Hyper is built for secure interaction between networks, using bridges that rely on cryptographic proofs rather than trust in third parties.

Instead of depending on centralized middlemen, it uses strong mathematical verification to confirm what happened on other chains.

This allows networks to talk to each other in a trust-minimized way, without sacrificing security.

The goal is to keep Bitcoin simple and secure, while unlocking faster, more powerful features on top.

Every action is anchored back to Bitcoin’s base layer, without changing how Bitcoin itself works.

This approach builds a foundation for long-term stability.

If the Super Cycle unfolds as predicted in 2026, the demand for a high-performance execution layer like HYPER could be immense. With the main net offering low fees and massive throughput, Bitcoin Hyper is positioning itself as the essential infrastructure for the next era of crypto adoption.

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Disclaimer: Coinspeaker is committed to providing unbiased and transparent reporting. This article aims to deliver accurate and timely information but should not be taken as financial or investment advice. Since market conditions can change rapidly, we encourage you to verify information on your own and consult with a professional before making any decisions based on this content.

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