Against Allowing Quantum Recovery of Bitcoin

The ongoing discussions in the Bitcoin development community reveal a consensus on the need for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) secure schemes as a priority before considering other actions such as burning or freezing coins. A notable idea initially considered was the use of a secure leaf that would serve as the sole spending path. However, upon further reflection, it appears more advantageous to develop a new address or taproot version tailored for PQC. This approach has several benefits, including providing public data on how many coins are secured by the PQC scheme, which can inform better decisions regarding adoption and planning. Moreover, it clearly delineates PQC-secured addresses for users, enhancing user experience by avoiding confusion between legacy and PQC-secure transactions.

Furthermore, this strategy eliminates the need for any transition period or specific date ('flag day') where changes become mandatory, thus avoiding potential disruptions. Concerns remain about the additional space and computational resources required for PQC transactions. These might necessitate significant fee discounts once a reliable method is confirmed, ensuring that the transition incentivizes adoption while maintaining network integrity. The enhanced security provided by PQC should be a key factor in these incentive calculations, promoting a smoother integration into existing systems without imposing undue burdens on users who opt not to upgrade immediately.