Bitcoin developers publish draft BIP for SHRINCS, a post-quantum signature scheme, pending security proof and Script integration.
Tech & Launches ·
Bitcoin developers have circulated a draft BIP proposing SHRINCS, a post-quantum signature scheme designed to protect the network against future quantum computing threats. The scheme remains incomplete, as both a formal security proof and integration into Bitcoin's Script language are still outstanding. Post-quantum cryptography has emerged as a critical infrastructure priority across blockchain systems, given that quantum computers theoretically capable of breaking current elliptic-curve cryptography could decrypt transactions and public keys permanently stored on-chain. The U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology published final guidance on crypto agility in December 2025, reinforcing industry momentum toward migration. What remains uncertain is the timeline and method for SHRINCS to achieve security certification, the technical feasibility of Script integration, and whether Bitcoin developers will reach consensus on this particular post-quantum approach as an upgrade path.