Galaxy invests up to $5 million in quantum protection for Bitcoin: launch of the Bitcoin Quantum Readiness Initiative program
A major player in the crypto industry, Galaxy, has announced the launch of a large-scale initiative to prepare Bitcoin for potential threats from quantum computers. The Bitcoin Quantum Readiness Initiative program provides grants of up to $5 million for developers and researchers working in the field of post-quantum cryptography.
The initiative includes not only financial support but also the creation of a research program and an advisory board, which includes leading experts in quantum computing. The application process started simultaneously with the announcement, and funding will be distributed in stages as agreed-upon results are achieved.
Four Priority Areas of Protection
Galaxy has identified key areas that will be the focus of efforts:
- Development and audit of quantum-resistant transaction types;
- Integration of post-quantum digital signature schemes directly into the Bitcoin protocol;
- Creation of tools for the secure migration of funds from vulnerable wallets and custodial solutions;
- Conducting a comprehensive security audit of proposed solutions.
Galaxy Research, the company's research division, will regularly publish analytical materials aimed at developers, institutional investors, and government agencies. Galaxy's Head of Research, Alex Thorn, emphasized that there is a dangerous gap between rapid progress in quantum computing and the current level of preparedness of the Bitcoin community, which the company intends to address.
The Reality of the Threat: When Will Quantum Computers Become a Problem?
Currently, there is no cryptographically significant quantum computer capable of breaking the ECDSA and Schnorr algorithms that underpin Bitcoin's security. However, the pace of technological development, according to experts, is shortening the expected timeline for the emergence of such a machine. The main risk is associated with addresses whose public keys have already been revealed on the blockchain — an attacker, upon achieving quantum supremacy, could compute the private key and steal funds.
The problem is compounded by the decentralized nature of Bitcoin governance. Any change to the protocol requires a lengthy process of development, testing, and consensus among miners and network nodes, which can take years. This is why preparation must begin today.
Global Context: The US Accelerates the Transition
The Galaxy initiative coincides with active efforts by the US government. In August 2024, NIST approved the first three post-quantum cryptography standards (FIPS 203, 204, 205). And in June 2026, President Donald Trump signed an executive order requiring federal agencies to accelerate the transition to these algorithms. Key systems must be migrated by 2030, with full transition completed by 2035.
What Are Bitcoin Developers Proposing?
Two protocol improvement proposals are being actively discussed in the community: BIP-360 and BIP-361. BIP-360 proposes a new output type (P2MR) resistant to long-term quantum attacks but does not solve the signature problem. BIP-361, prepared by Jameson Lopp, describes a phased deprecation of ECDSA and Schnorr, including a ban on sending funds to vulnerable addresses three years after activation and the introduction of a recovery mechanism for existing funds.
Coinbase and Other Ecosystems
Earlier, Coinbase launched its own quantum security program, forming an independent advisory board. Its experts estimate that up to 7 million BTC could be at risk. Stellar and Algorand have also presented roadmaps, and the Ethereum Foundation has declared post-quantum security a strategic priority.
My expert opinion: Galaxy's launch of this initiative is a timely and strategically important step. Although there is no immediate threat, the inertia of decision-making in Bitcoin is enormous. $5 million is not just grants, but a signal to the market that post-quantum preparation is moving from theoretical discussions into a practical realm. The question is not whether quantum computers will "break" Bitcoin, but whether the community will have time to prepare defenses before that becomes possible.