Invest ideasNews
17 Apr 2026, 07:10
Bitcoin Price Prediction: Cardano Hoskinson Says BTC Fix Can’t Save Satoshi Bags
Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has gone on record calling Bitcoin’s proposed quantum defense both technically mislabeled and functionally inadequate. The detail most outlets are missing: roughly 1.7 million BTC may be beyond saving, no matter what developers vote through. This is all happening when Bitcoin price prediction is getting bullish. In a video posted to his YouTube channel late Wednesday, Hoskinson dissected BIP-361, the proposal from developer Jameson Lopp and others to phase out quantum-vulnerable Bitcoin addresses. He says that BIP-361 is being marketed as a soft fork but would functionally require a hard fork, since it invalidates existing signature schemes that active users currently rely on. “To actually do this, you need a hard fork,” Hoskinson said flatly. He called the soft fork characterization a lie. Bitcoin’s development culture has historically treated hard forks as violations of the network’s immutability, which makes the political fallout as significant as the technical one. The broader quantum security debate has been intensifying across the industry for months. Bitcoin developers just proposed freezing early BTC wallets forever Bitcoin developers led by Jameson Lopp have published BIP-361, a post-quantum migration proposal. It requires holders to move their coins to quantum-resistant addresses or face permanent freezing by the network.… pic.twitter.com/X0JuPg26Ez — BSCN (@BSCNews) April 15, 2026 The deeper problem sits in the recovery mechanism . BIP-361 proposes that users with frozen quantum-vulnerable funds could reclaim them via a zero-knowledge proof tied to a BIP-39 seed phrase. According to Hoskinson, approximately 1.7 million BTC, including the estimated ~1 million coins attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto, predate BIP-39’s 2013 introduction entirely. No BIP-39 seed phrase exists for those wallets. The zero-knowledge recovery path simply doesn’t apply. Satoshi’s coins, by this analysis, are structurally unrecoverable under the current proposal regardless of how the fork resolves. Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with Bitcoin Price Prediction: Fork or no Fork, $250,000 the Target Hoskinson’s skepticism about Bitcoin’s protocol governance hasn’t dampened his price outlook. He publicly predicted BTC reaches $250,000 by mid-2026, a 3X from current levels, citing institutional inflows, Magnificent 7 tech integration, the incoming Clarity Act, and sustained end-user growth as primary drivers. He reiterated the forecast in a Bloomberg interview at TOKEN2049 Singapore. HOSKINSON PUSHES HIS $250K BITCOIN TARGET TO LATE 2026. After calling for $250,000 $BTC by end-2025 in April and then moving it to mid-2026 in October, he now expects it to happen by the end of 2026. pic.twitter.com/uyCKexxoKF — Coin Bureau (@coinbureau) November 23, 2025 Technically, Bitcoin’s current position at just under $74,000 reflects a meaningful recovery from the sub-$66,000 low due to the fear of an Iran war. Early this month, the peak stood at $73,000; BTC has now cleared that level convincingly. Analyst consensus has been steadily repricing upward as macro headwinds ease. BTC USD, TradingView The quantum debate is a wildcard that existing price models don’t price cleanly. If BIP-361 stalls, or forces a hard fork, short-term volatility is the near-certain outcome. Discover: The best pre-launch token sales Bitcoin is Getting Forked, Hyper is Here to Fix Bitcoin’s limitations are precisely what’s fueling conviction in the layer-2 thesis right now. To be back to $120,000+ high, BTC’s upside requires institutional scale, an asymmetric early-stage return that individual traders once found in spot BTC is largely gone. Bitcoin Hyper ($HYPER) is positioning directly inside that gap. It’s the first Bitcoin Layer 2 integrating the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), delivering faster smart contract execution than Solana itself while preserving Bitcoin’s underlying security. The project has raised $32 million at a current presale price of $0.0136 , with a high 36% APY staking already live. Key infrastructure includes a Decentralized Canonical Bridge for BTC transfers and extremely low-latency transaction processing, addressing Bitcoin’s three core bottlenecks simultaneously: slow speed, high fees, and zero programmability. The presale has been gaining traction precisely as the Bitcoin protocol debate raises questions about the base layer’s adaptability. Research Bitcoin Hyper before the current price tier closes. The post Bitcoin Price Prediction: Cardano Hoskinson Says BTC Fix Can’t Save Satoshi Bags appeared first on Cryptonews .
16 Apr 2026, 18:45
Monero price prediction 2026-2032: Should you buy XMR now?
Key takeaways: Monero price prediction suggests a bullish trend, with XMR anticipated to reach $555.90 by the end of 2026. XMR could reach a maximum price of $818.33 by the end of 2029. By 2032, Monero’s price may surge to $1,392.38. Monero (XMR) stands out in the crypto space for its strong focus on privacy and decentralization of transactions, particularly within the monero network, making it one of the leading privacy focused cryptocurrencies. This makes it a popular choice for privacy advocates and those prioritizing security. The Monero ecosystem constantly evolves, marked by significant milestones like enhanced protocol upgrades and growing adoption across various sectors, which underscore its utility. As Monero progresses, many wonder about its future price trajectory. Will its unique features drive significant value growth, as many traders speculate, and can a price prediction tool provide insights into this? Can it sustain its competitive edge in the ever-evolving crypto market? Will the price of xmr recapture its ATH at $798 in the long term forecast? Overview Cryptocurrency Monero Token XMR Price $ 341.74 (-1.28%) Market Cap $6.3 B Trading Volume (24-hour) $103.09 M Circulating Supply 18.44M XMR All-time High $798.91 Jan 15, 2026 All-time Low $0.213, Jan 15, 2015 24-h High $352.15 24-h Low $338.13 Monero price prediction: Technical analysis Market Sentiment Bullish 50-Day SMA $342.00 200-Day SMA $382.09 Price Prediction $345.90 (+1.27%) Fear & Greed Index 11.90 (Extreme Fear) Green Days 12/30 (40%) 14-Day RSI 55.63 Monero price analysis TL;DR Breakdown Monero price analysis shows a bullish market sentiment. Cryptocurrency lost 1.28% of its value in last 24 hours. XMR finds resistance at $346 and crashes to $341 On April 16, 2026, Monero price analysis revealed a return to the $341 mark as the bulls fail to cross the $346. Monero price analysis 1-day chart: XMR falls to $341 The one-day price chart for Monero confirms a consolidation forming in the market, indicating a notable price change. XMR price declined rapidly after failing to breach the $346 resistance. The XMR/USD pair declined to $338 where it found short-term support. Then the price rose to $341 where it trades at press time. XMR/USDT price chart: TradingView The Bollinger Bands are narrow suggesting low volatility. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) is trading at the center the neutral region. The indicator’s value was recorded at 51.40 today. The trend of the RSI signifies slight bearish pressure across daily charts. Further volatility can be expected if the buying momentum intensifies and the $346 mark is breached. Monero price analysis 4-hour chart The four-hour chart analysis of Monero shows rapid decline after a brief struggle at $355 mark. However, the price found support at the $337 mark that enabled it to climb back to $341 where it trades at press time but faces strong bearish pressure. XMR/USDT price chart: TradingView The Bollinger Bands are wide suggesting high volatility. The Relative Strength Index (RSI) indicator is hovering above the mean line of the neutral region. The indicator’s value fell to 47.90 over the past few candles. The indicator’s slope is suggesting selling pressure at the price level. Monero technical indicators: Levels and actions Daily simple moving average (SMA) Period Value Action SMA 3 $ 372.06 SELL SMA 5 $ 356.75 SELL SMA 10 $ 348.06 BUY SMA 21 $ 336.49 BUY SMA 50 $ 341.78 BUY SMA 100 $ 389.80 SELL SMA 200 $ 374.05 SELL Daily exponential moving average (EMA) Period Value Action EMA 3 $ 339.97 BUY EMA 5 $ 348.18 BUY EMA 10 $ 371.87 SELL EMA 21 $ 397.90 SELL EMA 50 $ 404.95 SELL EMA 100 $ 386.15 SELL EMA 200 $ 352.41 SELL What to expect from Monero price analysis? XMR/USDT price chart: TradingView Monero price analysis gives a bearish prediction for the asset’s short-term movements as the price continues to trade below the $360 mark across the daily charts. On the 4-hour charts, the price shows an attempt at crossing the $338 mark but the decline back to $330 makes a breakdown more likely. If buyers hold the $338 level and establish a foothold above $348, the price may retest $356. However, if the current support fails, XMR might fall to $300 before the end of March. Is Monero a good investment? Monero is an attractive investment because it emphasizes privacy and security, utilizing advanced cryptographic techniques to ensure transaction confidentiality, which has created a strong demand in the market . Its growing adoption across various use cases and a decentralized development model enhance its long-term potential. With a limited supply and increasing investor interest, Monero offers a unique opportunity for those seeking financial autonomy and privacy to invest in cryptocurrency. However, investors should remain cautious of regulatory risks and market volatility when considering Monero as part of their portfolio, making it essential to seek investment advice. Why is XMR down? Monero price analysis shows that XMR failed to climb past $346 and declined to the $338 finding support. Since then XMR has risen to $341 but struggles to climb higher. Will XMR recover to its all-time high? Monero recently reached a new all-time high of $798 before experiencing a sharp correction. The privacy-focused blockchain is expected to stabilize and potentially recover as it continues to reduce technical debt and enhance its utility and privacy features. However, widespread adoption may be hindered by regulatory scrutiny and market volatility, keeping the asset highly speculative. How much will Monero be worth in 5 years? The Monero price prediction for 2031, is expected to reach a minimum of $463.56, while averaging $726.61. The maximum projected value is $989.65. Will XMR reach $1000? The chances of Monero (XMR) hitting $1,000 hinge on various factors, which will influence its future price movements. The adoption of privacy transactions and technological advances could increase demand. Favorable regulations and market sentiment toward privacy coins would also help. Yet, regulatory risks, competition, and market volatility creating an atmosphere of extreme fear are challenges that Monero traders could face that could hinder significant growth. $1,000 is possible with favorable conditions, especially considering the current price but market dynamics and regulations will shape its path. Does XMR have a good long-term future? Monero (XMR) has the potential for a strong long-term future due to its focus on privacy and security, which makes it attractive to users seeking anonymity. However, many investors have concerns regarding privacy, regulatory scrutiny, and notoriety from being the favored medium for some past criminals, which impact the current Monero sentiment. Monero’s commitment to ring confidential transactions and the broader monero project gives it a solid foundation for long-term growth, but it must carefully navigate market and regulatory landscapes. Recent news/ opinion on Monero Monero recently revealed an ecosystem update by Mondetta including addition of MoneroSwap and FerrySwap. A new version of Monero Ecosystem has been released! https://t.co/XxVBm7kR4M — Monero (XMR) (@monero) March 25, 2026 Monero price prediction April 2026 The XMR price prediction for April 2026 suggests a minimum value of $287.32 and an average price of $335.44. The price could reach a maximum of $401.09 during the month. Month Minimum Price ($) Average Price ($) Maximum Price ($) April 287.32 335.44 401.09 Monero price prediction 2026 The Monero price prediction for 2026 anticipates a potential increase driven by growing adoption, with a maximum price forecasted at $555.90. Based on current analysis, investors can expect an average trading price of $472.71, while the minimum price could be around $264.46. Year Min. Price ($) Average Price ($) Maximum Price ($) 2026 264.46 472.71 555.90 Monero price prediction 2027-2032 Year Min. Price ($) Average Price ($) Maximum Price ($) 2027 306.12 509.66 616.40 2028 349.80 579.06 694.58 2029 379.78 623.25 818.33 2030 427.09 714.82 1002.57 2031 560.91 879.20 1197.48 2032 733.12 1062.75 1392.38 Monero Price Prediction 2027 In 2027, Monero’s value is expected to continue its upward trend, with a minimum price of $306.12, an average price of $509.66, and a maximum price of $616.40. Monero Price Prediction 2028 For 2028, Monero is anticipated to trade at a minimum of $349.80, with an average price of $579.06, and a maximum price reaching $694.58. Monero Price Prediction 2029 The price outlook for 2029 suggests Monero will maintain a minimum value of $379.78, an average of $623.25, and a maximum of $818.33. Monero Price Prediction 2030 By 2030, Monero is forecasted to achieve a minimum trading price of $427.09, with an average price of $714.82 and a potential peak of $1,002.57. Monero Price Prediction 2031 In 2031, Monero’s price is expected to reach a minimum of $560.91, while averaging $879.20. The maximum projected value is $1,197.48. Monero Price Prediction 2032 In 2032, Monero is projected to continue its growth trajectory, with a minimum trading price of $733.12, an average price of $1,062.75, and a maximum price reaching $1,392.38. Monero price prediction 2026-2032 Monero market price prediction: Analysts’ XMR price forecast Firm 2026 2027 CoinCodex $576 $710 Digitalcoinprice $357 $423 Cryptopolitan’s Monero (XMR) price prediction Cryptopolitan’s Monero price forecast suggests a bullish outlook for XMR’s future should the market recover. According to expert analysis, Monero could reach a maximum price of $555.90, record a minimum price of $264.46, and trade at an average price of $472.71 by the end of 2026. Monero historic price sentiment XMR price history Monero’s market value has changed dramatically since its launch in 2014, from less than $1 to over $475. May 2021 marked the highest point in Monero’s history. Monero’s price projections revealed the coin’s security. They provide investors with optimism that they will be freed from the persecution of some authorities simply by buying or selling Monero Across 2023, Monero’s price rose by 11.49%. The highest price was $278.56, and the lowest was $114.16. In January 2024, Monero stayed stable around the $150.00 mark as market momentum remained low. However, the stability was short-lived as February crashed to $101.95. However, XMR showed swift recovery as it closed the month near the $150.00 level again. In March and April 2024, XMR saw a steady decline from $150.00 to $120.00, where it found key support. In May 2024, XMR observed steady bullish pressure as the price rose from $120.00, approaching resistance at $150. In June 2024, Monero (XMR) traded within the $150 – $175 price range as either side struggled to make a clear breakthrough. In July, the crypto traded around the $155 mark as the price volatility remained relatively low. XMR opened trading at $156.05 in August and ended the month at $176.00, making remarkable gains. September was bearish for the asset, as the price declined below the $160 mark by the end of the month. In October, Monero observed a steep crash and has been making a swift recovery since then. In December, Monero made remarkable strides as the asset’s price broke past the $220 mark, albeit briefly as it closed the month below $200. In January, Monero saw a bullish January as the price rose from below the $200 mark to $238 by the end of the month. In February, the price fell towards the $215 mark as bears dominate the markets. In March, the price observes mixed momentum and closed the month slightly below $215. In April the consolidation continued until late into the month when it spiked past the $325 mark before ending the month around $275. In May the price continued rising rapidly as the bulls cruised past $300 ending the month around $320. During June the price continued to observe high volatility but observed low net change as the asset closed the month around $313. In July the price saw a huge spike in volatility as the price rose past $340 but the asset closed the month below the $310 mark. In August the price declined rapidly falling to the $260 mark by the month’s end. In September, the price rose to the $340 and while it did not maintain the level but managed to close the month above the $320 mark. In October the price continued to rise ending the month above the $340 mark, a trend separating it from most other cryptocurrencies that saw a decline during the period. In November, the bullish rally continued with XMR crossing the $400 mark by the end of the month. In December, the bulls continued to charge ending the month above the $430 mark. In January 2026, price volatility rose sharply establishing a new all-time high but ended the month below the $500 mark. In February, the declined continued with XMR ending the month around the $340 level. The price consolidated in March, observing a slight decline to $325 by the month’s end.
16 Apr 2026, 16:55
Bitcoin BIP-361 Warning: Hoskinson’s Alarming Claim of 1.7M BTC Freeze
BitcoinWorld Bitcoin BIP-361 Warning: Hoskinson’s Alarming Claim of 1.7M BTC Freeze Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson has issued a stark warning about a proposed Bitcoin upgrade, claiming it could permanently lock away approximately 1.7 million BTC. His analysis, centered on Bitcoin Improvement Proposal 361 (BIP-361), challenges the cryptocurrency community’s understanding of a critical quantum computing defense mechanism. This development, reported by CoinDesk, raises fundamental questions about Bitcoin’s future security and the integrity of its earliest assets. Bitcoin BIP-361 Proposal and the Quantum Threat BIP-361 represents a technical response to a looming technological challenge: quantum computing. Experts widely acknowledge that future quantum computers could break the cryptographic algorithms securing Bitcoin wallets. Consequently, developers have proposed BIP-361 as a preemptive defense. The proposal aims to migrate vulnerable coins to a new, quantum-resistant security system before any attack occurs. However, the implementation method has become a major point of contention within the developer community. Traditionally, Bitcoin upgrades occur through two primary mechanisms: Soft Fork: A backward-compatible upgrade where new rules are introduced, but old nodes still recognize new blocks as valid. Hard Fork: A permanent divergence in the blockchain, creating two separate networks if all nodes do not adopt the new rules. Proponents of BIP-361 have classified it as a soft fork, suggesting a smoother, more consensus-driven upgrade path. Conversely, Hoskinson vehemently disputes this classification, arguing the technical reality dictates a hard fork outcome. Hoskinson’s Core Argument: A Mislabeled Hard Fork Charles Hoskinson’s central critique focuses on the technical execution of BIP-361 and its impact on early Bitcoin. He asserts that the proposal’s mechanics would not allow for backward compatibility. Specifically, the upgrade would require moving coins from old, vulnerable addresses to new, secure ones. For coins mined after 2013, this process is theoretically straightforward because owners can prove ownership with modern seed phrases or private keys. The critical problem, according to Hoskinson, lies with the approximately 1.7 million BTC mined before 2013. During Bitcoin’s earliest years, the ecosystem lacked standardized wallet practices. Many early miners, including the enigmatic creator Satoshi Nakamoto, likely stored keys in rudimentary ways. Some may have used simple text files, paper wallets, or early software clients that did not generate modern seed phrases. Therefore, proving ownership to migrate these coins under BIP-361’s rules could be impossible. The Satoshi Nakamoto Conundrum This issue directly impacts the roughly 1 million BTC attributed to Satoshi Nakamoto. These coins have remained untouched since their creation, symbolizing the founder’s belief in the project. Hoskinson’s warning suggests BIP-361 would effectively freeze this legendary cache forever. Furthermore, it would lock hundreds of thousands of other early-mined coins whose owners may have lost access or lack the specific proof required by the new protocol. This scenario creates a significant ethical and economic dilemma for the Bitcoin network. Technical and Community Implications The debate extends beyond a simple technical disagreement. It touches on core Bitcoin principles like decentralization, immutability, and network consensus. Labeling BIP-361 as a soft fork could influence how miners and node operators vote on its adoption. Many participants might support a soft fork under the assumption of minimal disruption. However, if Hoskinson’s analysis is correct, the result would be a contentious hard fork with substantial unintended consequences. Industry observers note this is not the first time upgrade classification has caused controversy. The 2017 Segregated Witness (SegWit) activation involved a complex soft-fork mechanism. Similarly, the Bitcoin Cash split resulted from a fundamental disagreement on block size, leading to a definitive hard fork. The table below compares key aspects of these historical events with the current BIP-361 debate. Event Type Key Issue Outcome SegWit (2017) Soft Fork Transaction Malleability & Scaling Successfully Activated Bitcoin Cash (2017) Hard Fork Block Size Increase Permanent Chain Split BIP-361 (Proposed) Disputed (Soft vs. Hard) Quantum Defense & Legacy Coin Migration Pending Community Decision This historical context shows that protocol changes can have lasting network effects. The potential freezing of 1.7 million BTC would represent a permanent reduction in Bitcoin’s circulating and liquid supply. Market analysts suggest such an event could have profound implications for Bitcoin’s scarcity narrative and long-term valuation models. Expert Perspectives and the Path Forward The cryptocurrency community has reacted with a mix of concern and skepticism. Some developers agree that the migration of pre-2013 coins presents a unique challenge. Others argue that Hoskinson’s assessment may overstate the risks or that technical solutions could emerge. The broader consensus emphasizes that any quantum defense must be thoroughly vetted. Furthermore, it must maintain the network’s foundational integrity. Quantum computing researchers estimate that a machine capable of breaking Bitcoin’s ECDSA cryptography is likely a decade or more away. This timeline provides the development community with crucial breathing room. It allows for extensive testing, alternative proposal development, and broader stakeholder consultation. The ultimate decision will require balancing urgent security needs with the preservation of Bitcoin’s entire historical ledger. Conclusion Charles Hoskinson’s warning about the Bitcoin BIP-361 proposal highlights a critical juncture for the world’s leading cryptocurrency. The potential to freeze 1.7 million BTC, including the coins held by Satoshi Nakamoto, underscores the high stakes of protocol evolution. As the community grapples with the quantum computing threat, the debate between soft and hard fork implementations will intensify. The final outcome will test Bitcoin’s governance, its resilience, and its commitment to preserving every satoshi ever created. The path forward demands rigorous technical scrutiny and transparent dialogue to ensure the network’s security does not come at the cost of its soul. FAQs Q1: What is BIP-361? BIP-361 is a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal designed to defend the network against future attacks from quantum computers by migrating coins to a quantum-resistant cryptographic system. Q2: Why does Charles Hoskinson say it could freeze 1.7 million BTC? Hoskinson argues that coins mined before 2013, including Satoshi Nakamoto’s, may lack the modern proof-of-ownership (like seed phrases) required to migrate under BIP-361’s rules, making them permanently inaccessible. Q3: What is the difference between a soft fork and a hard fork? A soft fork is a backward-compatible upgrade, while a hard fork creates a permanent split in the blockchain, resulting in two separate networks if consensus is not universal. Q4: How imminent is the quantum computing threat to Bitcoin? Most experts believe a quantum computer powerful enough to break Bitcoin’s encryption is at least 10-15 years away, providing time for careful solution development. Q5: What happens to Bitcoin if Satoshi’s coins are permanently frozen? Freezing Satoshi’s 1 million BTC would permanently remove them from the potential circulating supply, potentially increasing scarcity but also raising philosophical questions about preserving the original blockchain’s state. This post Bitcoin BIP-361 Warning: Hoskinson’s Alarming Claim of 1.7M BTC Freeze first appeared on BitcoinWorld .
16 Apr 2026, 16:21
Bitcoin community split over proposal to freeze vulnerable wallets amid quantum threat
Bitcoin’s potential vulnerability to quantum attacks is putting the network’s future at a crossroads. The recent BIP-361 proposal split the community over freezing legacy addresses. A recently proposed solution to Bitcoin’s quantum vulnerability has split the community over the potential to freeze legacy wallets, including Satoshi Nakamoto’s stash. Among the most vocal proponents of BIP-361 is Jameson Lopp, a software engineer and cypherpunk. His main opponent is Adam Back, who, according to a New York Times research is the actual Satoshi Nakamoto . The proposal has created mixed reactions for protecting the value of BTC versus protecting its reputation as censorship-free. BIP361 is a complete non-starter for me, but I would still like to see an attempt by its supporters to put it on the Bitcoin network as either a soft fork or a hard fork. Not because I want to get a "fork dividend," but because we need to see how these things play out. — Jimmy Song (송재준) (@jimmysong) April 16, 2026 The discussion on freezing non-quantum-resistant early wallets raised the issues of self-sovereignty, censorship, and the long-term future of BTC. Who wants to freeze addresses on Bitcoin? Supporters of BIP-361 have proposed a ‘post quantum migration and legacy signature sunset.’ The proposal went live on April 14, sparking a broader discussion of quantum resistance. Rough estimates suggest that around 6.7M BTC may be at risk of quantum attacks due to being held in early, less secure addresses. BIP-361 is still in its draft phase, with no deadline for signaling support. Responsibility for quantum-proof holding will be personal, with each wallet holder required to upgrade. In the first stage, the proposal will freeze new transactions to quantum-vulnerable addresses, causing the network to shift to PQ address types. In phase B, all spending to vulnerable addresses will be blocked. The second stage may have a five-year grace period. In the future, the network may introduce a quantum-safe method for proving ownership and recovering lost BTC. The argument for freezing BTC is that hacked funds could be sold, undermining its price and general trust. Supporters of the proposal believe quantum hacking will occur and that the old BTC ethos of self-ownership, with no centralized censorship or freezing, is outdated. Can BTC survive quantum hacking? Achieving real quantum hacking may be more involved than expected. Satoshi Nakamoto’s addresses use the P2PK standard, meaning their exposed public keys leave them vulnerable to hacking. However, Satoshi’s stash is spread across over 22,000 addresses, and each one will have to be hacked before releasing the coins. The other argument against BIP-361 is that quantum computers are not yet easily available outside a research context, and it is highly improbable that they would be used for attacks. The approach may also be too expensive to perform, at least in the early stages of quantum computing. Currently, quantum algorithms are improving, lowering the requirements for a physical computer, but still far from a real attack. The proposal underscores the need to change BTC for its long-term survival, while not undermining market value, reputation, and the proof of work to date. The migration to quantum-proof addresses raises the issue of what makes a ‘real’ BTC coin. Other suggestions include a hard fork to a quantum-proof network at a predetermined block, with a long grace period to claim coins. A similar solution was suggested by Satoshi Nakamoto in the early days of BTC. Some suggest leaving the BTC network as it is, with old wallets left as a bounty for the creators of viable quantum computers. Overall, freezes may protect the holdings of big whales and prevent a flash crash for BTC if someone is able to hack wallets. But in the short term, some see BIP-361 as breaking the underlying BTC ethos of avoiding censorship and asset freezes. Your bank is using your money. You’re getting the scraps. Watch our free video on becoming your own bank
16 Apr 2026, 16:19
Cardano's Charles Hoskinson says Bitcoin's quantum fix is a hard fork that can't save Satoshi's coins
The Cardano founder argues BIP-361 is mislabeled as a soft fork and that its zero-knowledge recovery plan cannot rescue roughly 1.7 million pre-2013 bitcoin, including Satoshi's holdings.
16 Apr 2026, 14:54
BitMEX Proposes ‘Canary Fund’ Alternative in Bitcoin Quantum-Security Debate
BitMEX Research has proposed a ‘quantum canary fund’ mechanism for Bitcoin that would trigger a coin freeze only if a quantum computing threat is demonstrably real, positioning the idea as a direct counter to BIP-361’s preemptive forced-migration approach. The proposal lands in the middle of an active governance fight over how Bitcoin should respond to quantum risk, and whether protocol-level coercion is ever justified to protect user funds. The question isn’t whether quantum computers will eventually threaten ECDSA signatures. It’s who gets to decide when that threat is actionable, and what the protocol is allowed to do about it. Key Takeaways: Proposal: BitMEX Research has put forward a quantum canary fund as an alternative mechanism for protecting Bitcoin against quantum computing threats. Trigger condition: The canary fund activates a coin freeze only if a verified quantum threat materializes – not preemptively, unlike BIP-361’s phased approach. Canary mechanics: A designated address uses a Nothing-Up-My-Sleeve Number (NUMS) system to generate a provably unknown private key, monitored on-chain via soft fork for signs of quantum exploitation. Safety window: A 50,000-block delay – roughly 345 days – follows any canary trigger before a full freeze activates, giving legitimate holders time to migrate. What it responds to: BIP-361, merged into the Bitcoin Improvement Proposal repository on April 15, 2026, proposes banning sends to quantum-vulnerable addresses within three years and freezing legacy coin spends within five years of activation. Trade-off acknowledged: BitMEX concedes the canary mechanism adds complexity and introduces its own risks, but argues it is preferable to BIP-361’s disruption of Bitcoin’s immutability guarantees. Community fault line: Jameson Lopp’s BIP-361 drew sharp criticism for preemptively restricting legitimate funds; Adam Back has advocated optional upgrades over mandatory freezes. Watch: Whether BitMEX formalizes the canary fund as a counter-BIP and whether it draws engagement on the Bitcoin developer mailing list – that activity will signal whether this proposal moves from concept to contention. Discover: The best pre-launch token sales How the Canary Fund Mechanism Actually Works – and What It Doesn’t Protect The canary fund concept centers on a specially constructed Bitcoin address whose private key is provably unknown to anyone. Using a Nothing-Up-My-Sleeve Number (NUMS) system, the address is generated on the elliptic curve in a way that no party, including its creators, can control. A soft fork marks this address for on-chain monitoring, turning it into a live tripwire: if funds ever move from it, that movement proves a quantum computer has cracked ECDSA in practice, not just in theory. That is not the same as quantum-proofing Bitcoin. The canary fund does not upgrade any existing wallet, does not migrate any exposed public keys, and does not protect coins that were already at risk the moment their public keys appeared on-chain. Source: Bitmex research What it does is delay the most disruptive protocol intervention, a coin freeze – until there is verifiable on-chain evidence that the threat is real and active. The 50,000-block safety window built into the proposal (approximately 345 days) is deliberately structured as an incentive, not just a grace period. BitMEX’s reasoning: if a quantum-capable actor can crack the canary address, competitors with similar capabilities would face the same temptation across thousands of exposed addresses. The race-to-claim dynamic theoretically surfaces the threat before it propagates silently. The complexity cost is real – the canary system requires soft fork coordination, on-chain monitoring infrastructure, and a community-wide consensus on what constitutes a valid trigger. BitMEX acknowledges this openly. Discover: The best crypto to diversify your portfolio with The Governance Debate the Canary Fund Sits Inside BIP-361, authored by Jameson Lopp and merged into the Bitcoin Improvement Proposal repository on April 15, 2026, represents the most structured protocol-level response to quantum risk currently in circulation. Its Phase A bans new sends to quantum-vulnerable addresses three years after activation. Phase B, two years later, invalidates all legacy signatures, freezing any unmigrated coins outright. A speculative Phase C proposes zero-knowledge proofs linked to seed phrases for limited recovery, though feasibility remains unresolved. The backlash was immediate and predictable. Critics argued BIP-361 violates Bitcoin’s core property-rights guarantees by preemptively restricting funds that have not been compromised. There is no good incentive to solve a public canary and reveal CRQC capabilities. Canaries are disclosure events before industrial applications, not tech milestones. https://t.co/SUz8w6IEpF pic.twitter.com/8UostpBNX1 — Pierre-Luc (@dallairedemers) April 15, 2026 Adam Back’s position, that Bitcoin must prepare for quantum risk through optional upgrades rather than coercive protocol changes, reflects the dominant skeptic view. The quantum security debate has been intensifying alongside broader market attention to Bitcoin’s long-term cryptographic assumptions. BitMEX’s canary fund attempts a third path: evidence-based intervention rather than precautionary freezing. It preserves the status quo until the threat becomes empirically demonstrable, which satisfies the ‘your keys, your coins’ objection, until the canary trips, nothing changes. The trade-off is that it provides no protection during the window between when a quantum adversary first achieves cryptographic capability and when they choose to trigger the canary. That gap could be exploited silently. The question isn’t whether the canary fund is philosophically cleaner than BIP-361. It’s whether ‘wait for proof’ is an acceptable risk posture given that Google and Caltech research suggests quantum breakthroughs may arrive ahead of prior estimates. Other major blockchains, including Tron, are already building out quantum roadmaps without waiting for on-chain confirmation of a threat. The post BitMEX Proposes ‘Canary Fund’ Alternative in Bitcoin Quantum-Security Debate appeared first on Cryptonews .
