Bitcoin Core Developer Proposes Collateral-Based Defense Against Quantum Attacks
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AT A GLANCE
Cory Fields proposed a "quantum mine" collateral scheme, but it has not yet become a rule of the Bitcoin network.
Article
Bitcoin Core developer proposes collateral defense against quantum attacks
BlockBeats news, November 7, Bitcoin Core developer Cory Fields has proposed a "quantum landmine" scheme, attempting to raise the cost for future quantum attackers to steal bitcoin from old wallets through a collateral mechanism.
According to the proposal, transferring bitcoin vulnerable to quantum attacks requires providing additional collateral and going through a waiting period. Legitimate holders can present a pre-prepared secret proof of ownership within the period, recover the assets and obtain the attacker's collateral.
The report notes that because the blockchain cannot distinguish between attackers and legitimate holders, the latter also need to provide collateral when transferring such bitcoin; for dormant assets whose private keys have been lost, Fields also proposed a challengeable auction mechanism. The scheme is still a proposal, not an implemented network rule. (BeInCrypto)
Original link https://m.theblockbeats.info/flash/376119
Key points
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Bitcoin Core developer Cory Fields has proposed a "quantum landmine" scheme.
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This scheme attempts to raise the cost for future quantum attackers to steal bitcoins from old wallets through a collateral mechanism.
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When transferring Bitcoin vulnerable to quantum attacks, additional collateral must be provided and a waiting period must be undergone.
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A legitimate holder may, within the specified period, present a pre-prepared proof of secret ownership to retrieve the assets and receive the attacker's collateral.
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The lawful holder must also provide collateral when transferring such Bitcoin.
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For dormant assets whose private keys have been lost, Fields proposes a challengeable auction mechanism.
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This plan is still a proposal, not an implemented network rule.
AI-assisted interpretation
The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.
Simply put, this scheme wants suspected quantum attackers to first deposit assets and wait for a period of time; legitimate holders can use a pre-prepared secret proof to recover the assets. Since the blockchain cannot distinguish between attackers and legitimate holders, legitimate holders may also need to post collateral when transferring the relevant bitcoin.
Why it matters to readers
The proposal addresses the issue that future quantum attacks could affect bitcoins in old wallets, but for now it is only a proposal and has not yet changed the network rules.
Beginners should note: this is a protection concept proposed by developers, not an already effective Bitcoin rule, nor does it mean that the relevant assets have been actually affected.
Risks and unknowns
No original proposal, code, or technical description from Cory Fields was provided as evidence.
The evidence does not state whether Bitcoin Core or the broader community supports the proposal.
The plan has not yet been implemented, and the final form of the collateral, waiting period, and auction mechanisms is unknown.
The evidence provided consists solely of media reports, and it is therefore impossible to confirm based on this whether the plan will subsequently enter the network upgrade process.
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Related concepts
Quantum attack
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