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A Blockstream researcher has introduced a new post-quantum signature scheme called SHRIMPS, aimed at strengthening Bitcoin’s long-term security against potential quantum computing threats.
Jonas Nick, a Bitcoin researcher at Blockstream, proposed SHRIMPS as a hash-based, multi-device signature scheme designed to remain secure even if quantum computers eventually break current cryptographic standards. The design allows multiple devices initialized from the same seed to independently generate signatures, improving operational security and reducing single-point-of-failure risks.
Please welcome SHRIMPS🦐 to the family of stateful PQ signatures:
2.5 KB hash-based sigs across multiple devices.SHRINCS🛋️ gave ~324-byte sigs but is single-device. SHRIMPS🦐 addresses multi-device; any device loaded from the same seed creates sigs 3x smaller than SLH-DSA pic.twitter.com/Y1F1MTrxVQ
— Jonas Nick (@n1ckler) March 30, 2026
The scheme produces signatures of roughly 2.5 KB, significantly smaller than many existing post-quantum alternatives, which often require larger signature sizes. Smaller signatures are particularly important for Bitcoin, where block space is limited and efficiency is critical.
Bitcoin currently relies on elliptic-curve cryptography (ECC), which is considered secure against classical computers but vulnerable to sufficiently powerful quantum machines. Researchers have long warned that quantum computers running Shor’s algorithm could derive private keys from public keys, potentially allowing attackers to steal funds.
Recent research suggests the timeline for such threats may be accelerating, prompting developers to explore quantum-resistant cryptography now rather than later.
This has led to growing interest in post-quantum cryptography — algorithms designed to remain secure even in a quantum computing environment. However, many post-quantum schemes require significantly larger signatures or keys, creating tradeoffs between security and efficiency.
SHRIMPS attempts to address this challenge by combining compact signatures with multi-device security, making it more practical for Bitcoin’s constrained design.
Unlike traditional signature schemes that rely on a single signing device, SHRIMPS distributes signing capability across multiple devices. This architecture is designed to enhance resilience by reducing the risk of key compromise or device failure.
The multi-device approach also aligns with Bitcoin’s growing use of hardware wallets and distributed key management. By allowing several devices to generate signatures independently, the scheme aims to improve operational flexibility without sacrificing security.
Developers have increasingly explored such architectures as Bitcoin adoption expands across institutions, custodians, and multi-signature setups.
The proposal comes amid broader efforts to prepare Bitcoin infrastructure for a post-quantum future. Blockstream researchers recently demonstrated quantum-resistant transaction signing on the Liquid Network, signaling growing momentum around post-quantum experimentation.
Industry analysts say early experimentation is critical because upgrading Bitcoin’s cryptography could take years due to decentralized governance and cautious upgrade processes.
While practical quantum attacks remain theoretical, developers argue that Bitcoin’s long-term time horizon, potentially spanning decades, makes early preparation necessary.
The urgency around quantum-resistant Bitcoin upgrades remains divided, but some analysts are becoming more specific about where quantum attacks would likely appear first.
Samson Mow has argued that Bitcoin is unlikely to be the first casualty in a quantum breakthrough. Instead, he suggests banks, military systems, and government infrastructure would be more vulnerable initially, since they rely heavily on centralized access points and legacy cryptography.
In a recent comment, Mow said that in a real quantum scenario, “everything else breaks first,” positioning Bitcoin as comparatively resilient due to its decentralized structure and transparent upgrade path.
Meanwhile, on-chain analyst Willy Woo has taken a different angle, suggesting markets are already beginning to price in long-term quantum risk. Woo has warned that millions of dormant or lost coins, particularly older wallets with exposed public keys, could theoretically become accessible if quantum breakthroughs occur, potentially reshaping Bitcoin’s scarcity narrative and creating what he describes as a long-term valuation overhang.
“BTC uses too much energy.”
There’s only 3 ways to secure a monetary ledger.
– with atoms (gold)
– with energy (BTC)
– with social / political consensus (fiat)Energy is the only path to unbreakable hard money. There’s no scarcity of atoms.
— Willy Woo (@willywoo) April 7, 2026
Woo has also framed Bitcoin’s security in fundamental terms, arguing that monetary systems can only be secured through physical assets, political systems, or energy, with Bitcoin relying on energy-based security as its core strength, which developers continue to strengthen over time.
Nonetheless, recent advances in quantum computing research and growing warnings from industry experts have pushed the conversation forward.
SHRIMPS represents one of several emerging approaches to future-proof Bitcoin’s cryptographic security, highlighting a broader shift among developers toward preparing for potential quantum threats before they materialize.
As quantum computing continues to evolve, proposals like SHRIMPS underscore a growing consensus: Bitcoin’s security model must adapt not only to current threats, but to the technological landscape of the future.
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