New Bitcoin quantum proposal offers Satoshi Nakamoto a way to prove control without moving BTC
A new proposal called Provable Address-Control Timestamps (PACTs) aims to protect Bitcoin holdings in old wallets from future quantum computing attacks by allowing owners to timestamp proof of control without moving funds. The system relies on STARK proofs and a soft fork to enable secure coin recovery if vulnerable addresses are frozen, while preserving privacy. However, it only works if current key holders, including Satoshi Nakamoto, take action before quantum threats materialize.
- ▪The PACTs proposal was introduced by Dan Robinson of Paradigm to protect dormant Bitcoin wallets from future quantum attacks.
- ▪PACTs use cryptographic proofs and timestamps to verify ownership without revealing information until coins need to be spent.
- ▪The system requires Bitcoin to adopt STARK verification through a soft fork, which does not currently exist on the network.
- ▪Satoshi Nakamoto’s approximately 1.1 million BTC could be protected only if the private key holder acts before a quantum threat or network freeze occurs.
- ▪PACTs fill a gap in BIP-361 by enabling rescue of non-BIP-32 wallets, which include most of Satoshi’s known addresses.
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TechShareShare this articleCopy linkX iconX (Twitter)LinkedInFacebookEmailNew Bitcoin quantum proposal offers Satoshi Nakamoto a way to prove control without moving BTCA new design proposed by venture fund Paradigm would let holders privately timestamp proof that they control vulnerable keys before quantum computers arrive, creating a possible rescue path if Bitcoin ever sunsets old addresses.By Shaurya Malwa May 2, 2026, 6:24 a.m. 3 min readMake preferred on What to know: A new proposal called Provable Address-Control Timestamps, or PACTs, aims to protect old bitcoin wallets from future quantum-computing attacks without forcing their owners to move coins now.PACTs let holders privately timestamp cryptographic proofs of ownership today and later use quantum-resistant STARK proofs to…
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