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Paradigm General Partner 
Dan Robinson is proposing Public Address-Control Timestamps (PACTs) as a solution to allow quantum-vulnerable BTC addresses to recover their coins in the event a network fork freezes their coins.
What's the Scoop?
- Quantum Workaround: In a newly published research paper, Paradigm's Dan Robinson advocates for the utilization of zero-knowledge proofs called PACTs that would allow BTC holders to secretly timestamp their knowledge of their private keys. Should
Bitcoin enacts an emergency fork that disables spending from quantum-vulnerable addresses, users who generated a PACT before the arrival of "cryptographically relevant quantum computers" (CRQCs) could use the proof to reclaim access to their funds at any time. - Many Benefits: Users can generate PACTs offchain and anonymously, without revealing address ownership or moving funds. According to Robinson's paper, adopting PACTs now, "would help give holders as much time as possible to secure their coins against an emergency sunset, while allowing us to leave the more difficult decisions – including whether a sunset is necessary or desirable – until later."
- Not Perfect: In order to recover the coins associated with a frozen quantum-vulnerable addresses, the rightful holder must generate a PACT before the arrival of CRQCs or enactment of an emergency fork. Holders who fail to take preventative action risk permanently losing access their coins.
Millions of BTC could be vulnerable to quantum computers
— Dan Robinson (@danrobinson) May 1, 2026
Bitcoin may someday need to sunset those addresses, but that could force a public migration
Today we published a design to let that migration be costless and silent: Public Address-Control Timestamps (PACTs)
Link in 🧵 pic.twitter.com/RgGVLejLFD
