Bitcoin considers P2MR via BIP 360 amid PQC debate

Key Takeaways:

• BIP 360 merged, formalizing quantum-defense discussions without changing consensus rules.
• Focuses on P2MR to reduce public key exposure and protect value.
• Maintains Taproot/Tapscript compatibility; signals active review, not activation timeline.

Bitcoin’s quantum-defense roadmap advanced as BIP 360 was added to the Bitcoin Improvement Proposal repository, according to CryptoTimes. The merge formalizes discussion but does not change consensus rules. The proposal targets long-horizon cryptographic risks.

As reported by CoinSpeaker, BIP 360 centers on Pay-to-Merkle-Root (P2MR) to curb public key exposure that could be exploitable by future quantum computers. By changing how spending conditions are revealed, it aims to protect long-term value.

Bitcoin Magazine has noted the design keeps compatibility with Taproot and Tapscript to limit disruption. Inclusion in the repository signals active review by developers, not an activation timeline.

P2MR binds an output to a Merkle root instead of exposing a public key at spend time. This reduces opportunities for attackers to harvest keys from transaction history, particularly where addresses were reused.

The proposal also contemplates Pay-to-Quantum-Resistant-Hash (P2QRH) paths so future post-quantum signatures can be integrated as standards mature. Co-author Jameson Lopp has positioned the change as aligning incentives for users to migrate to safer output types over time.

Expert views diverge on timing. Some engineers argue for early hardening while others expect a longer runway before large-scale quantum threats materialize. Reflecting the latter view, Adam Back, Blockstream co-founder, said, “Bitcoin is probably not vulnerable for 20–40 years … there are quantum secure signatures … Bitcoin can add over time,” as reported by CryptoNews.

NIST, the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology, has standardized several post-quantum algorithms such as Dilithium and is evaluating others for broad deployment. That institutional work provides context for Bitcoin’s exploration of PQC without implying any mandate for the network.

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin traded near 66,908 with very high short-term volatility around 12.19% and a bearish sentiment reading. Metrics show the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages, 85,734 and 101,435 respectively, sit above spot.

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