Re: [bitcoindev] Re: Proposal for Quantum-Resistant Address Migration Protocol (QRAMP) BIP

[Agustin Cruz <agustin.cruz@gmail.com>]

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Hi Michal,

I completely understand your point of view. However, the concern with QRAMP
isn’t about arbitrarily punishing users or confiscating assets without
reason. Rather, it’s about mitigating a very real, systemic risk. If a
significant amount of funds remains in legacy addresses and a quantum
breakthrough occurs, the attack wouldn’t be a one-off incident targeting a
few unlucky individuals. Instead, it could compromise the security of the
entire network, affecting countless users and shaking confidence in Bitcoin
as a whole.

The enforcement aspect of QRAMP is intended as a last-resort safety
mechanism after a long and well-communicated migration period. It’s
designed to ensure that by the time any quantum-capable adversary comes
along, almost everyone’s funds are protected by quantum-resistant
cryptography. The goal is to preempt a scenario where the vulnerability
becomes so widespread that a malicious actor could trigger a massive,
destabilizing reallocation of wealth.

The enforced migration is less about penalizing users and more about
preserving the long-term security and stability of the network for everyone.

Best regards,
Agustin

El sáb, 8 de mar de 2025, 9:22 p. m., Michal Kolesár <
michal@zeleny-ctverec.cz> escribió:

> Dear Agustin,
>
> enforcement in general doesn’t seem like a good choice to me. If I were to
> compare it to the real world, it’s as if people had money or jewelry in
> bank vaults that were unbreakable at the time they were stored. After a
> certain period, it’s discovered that these vaults could be breached, and
> we’d tell everyone they have to buy new vaults and move their diamonds,
> gold, and banknotes into them. If they don’t do it, everything in their old
> vaults would be confiscated and destroyed. Surely, it’s normal that people
> would naturally buy new vaults (or move to safer ones) if they’re informed
> well in advance and loudly enough about the outdated vaults. And if they
> decide not to replace them, someone will eventually break in sooner or
> later and become the new owner of their "wealth." That’s how it works in
> the real world, after all. Yes, perhaps if someone steals a large amount of
> Bitcoin en masse, it might temporarily lower its value. But that’s fine—it
> would just redistribute old, lost, or unused Bitcoins into new ownership,
> where someone would start using them. It’s like finding a lost treasure
> from the past at the bottom of the ocean.
>
> Best regards,
> Michal
>
> On Wednesday, February 12, 2025 at 1:10:17 AM UTC+1 Agustin Cruz wrote:
>
> Dear Bitcoin Developers,
>
> I am writing to share my proposal for a new Bitcoin Improvement Proposal
> (BIP) titled *Quantum-Resistant Address Migration Protocol (QRAMP)*. The
> goal of this proposal is to safeguard Bitcoin against potential future
> quantum attacks by enforcing a mandatory migration period for funds held in
> legacy Bitcoin addresses (secured by ECDSA) to quantum-resistant addresses.
>
> The proposal outlines:
>
>    - *Reducing Vulnerabilities:* Transitioning funds to quantum-resistant
>    schemes preemptively to eliminate the risk posed by quantum attacks on
>    exposed public keys.
>    - *Enforcing Timelines:* A hard migration deadline that forces timely
>    action, rather than relying on a gradual, voluntary migration that might
>    leave many users at risk.
>    - *Balancing Risks:* Weighing the non-trivial risk of funds being
>    permanently locked against the potential catastrophic impact of a quantum
>    attack on Bitcoin’s security.
>
> Additionally, the proposal addresses common criticisms such as the risk of
> permanent fund loss, uncertain quantum timelines, and the potential for
> chain splits. It also details backwards compatibility measures,
> comprehensive security considerations, an extensive suite of test cases,
> and a reference implementation plan that includes script interpreter
> changes, wallet software updates, and network monitoring tools.
>
> For your convenience, I have published the full proposal on my GitHub
> repository. You can review it at the following link:
>
> Quantum-Resistant Address Migration Protocol (QRAMP) Proposal on GitHub
> <https://github.com/chucrut/bips/blob/master/bip-xxxxx.md>
>
> I welcome your feedback and suggestions and look forward to engaging in a
> constructive discussion on how best to enhance the security and resilience
> of the Bitcoin network in the quantum computing era.
>
> Thank you for your time and consideration.
>
> Best regards,
>
> Agustin Cruz
>
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