Pre-emptive commit/reveal for quantum-safe migration (poison-pill)

In the discussion between Boris Nagaev and Leo Wandersleb, several technical inquiries and clarifications were sought regarding the integration and implications of weak announcements in the blockchain ecosystem, particularly within the context of Bitcoin's UTXO (Unspent Transaction Output) system. Nagaev's questions delve into the mechanics of how a weak announcement is stored on the blockchain and its interaction with the UTXO set, presupposing that such an announcement would be encapsulated within a transaction. This leads to an exploration of the designation for a UTXO to be marked as intended for spending over a specific duration, suggested to be 144 blocks, and raises concerns about the compatibility and interpretation of these transactions by nodes that have not been upgraded to recognize this new form of announcement.

Nagaev further probes the practicality and strategic responses to weak announcements by potential attackers, questioning the rationale behind waiting for a weak announcement if there exists a risk associated with the exposure of an EC public key. The dialogue suggests that in scenarios where the EC public key is already compromised, the proactive measure would be to issue a strong announcement rather than adopting a reactive stance. Conversely, if there has been no compromise of the EC public key, the concern over weak announcements might be unfounded, implying that any such announcements without the actual public key are likely attempts at bluffing.

This exchange underscores the complexities and technical considerations inherent in enhancing blockchain protocols, particularly in ensuring backward compatibility and security amidst protocol upgrades. It also reflects on the strategic considerations entities must undertake to safeguard their assets within the blockchain framework, highlighting the nuanced interplay between technical architecture and user behavior in the evolving landscape of cryptocurrency security.