Samson Mow: Rushing PQ Cryptography to Bitcoin is Risky

Jan3 founder and Bitcoin advocate Samson Mow responded to Coinbase CEO Brian Armstrong and Chief Security Officer Philip Martin’s call for rapid preparation against quantum computer threats, warning that rushing post-quantum (PQ) cryptography for Bitcoin (BTC) could introduce new risks. Mow stated that this transition could reduce network efficiency due to compatibility issues and larger signature sizes, potentially leading to vulnerability against current computer threats. He expressed that it carries the risk of “securing Bitcoin against quantum computers only to lose to ordinary computers.”

Samson Mow’s Bitcoin PQ Cryptography Warning

Mow emphasized that PQ signatures would be 10-125 times larger than current ones, significantly reducing transaction capacity and potentially leading to “Blocksize Wars 2.0.” He said quantum computers do not yet exist and will not emerge for 10-20 years, so there is no need to rush, but preparation efforts should continue. The discussion is part of the industry debate triggered by Google and Caltech’s quantum research.

Technical Risks of Post-Quantum Signatures

Post-quantum cryptography threatens blockchain efficiency due to increased signature sizes. According to Mow, this could lead to network congestion and scalability issues. Incompatibility with current ECDSA signatures increases fork risks. Long-term preparation is essential, while a rushed transition could cause conflicts similar to “Blocksize Wars.” Check the current security layers for BTC detailed analysis.

Is the Quantum Threat Real, and When?

Quantum computers are not yet at a practical level. Mow envisions a 10-20 year horizon. Although Google and Caltech’s advancements are promising, Bitcoin’s current cryptography (SHA-256, ECDSA) is sufficient for now. Preparations should continue, but no panic.

Bitcoin Current Market and Technical Analysis

Bitcoin price 69,322.50 USD, 24-hour change +3.84%. RSI 52.93 (neutral), trend sideways, Supertrend bearish. EMA 20: 68,543.97. Supports: S1 69,076 (strong, 82% score), S2 67,323. Resistances: R1 70,475 (71% score), R2 83,437. Follow for BTC futures. Although the quantum discussion does not affect the market, BTC spot analysis shows stability.

Source: Jonas Schnelli