Key Takeaways:
Paradigm’s Dan Robinson proposed PACTs on May 1, 2026, offering bitcoin holders a free, private way to timestamp address control before quantum threats arrive. Over 1.1 million BTC worth roughly $75 billion in Satoshi-linked wallets face exposure if cryptographically relevant quantum computers emerge. PACTs require no Bitcoin fork today but need future STARK verification support and community consensus to activate a rescue path. Bitcoin Holders Gain Silent Escape Hatch as Paradigm Targets Quantum VulnerabilityThe proposal does not extend cleanly to multisig wallets, complex scripts, or custodial accounts. Those cases require additional standardization work.
Robinson stated that adopting a PACT standard now would give long-term holders maximum time to secure their coins before any emergency fork. The harder decisions, including whether a quantum sunset is warranted at all, can wait.
