A new contender has entered the race to protect Bitcoin from the much-debated threat of quantum computers: Quip, a post-quantum enabled Bitcoin wallet. Developed by Postquant Labs, Quip provides an alternative approach to one of the most critical security discussions within the Bitcoin ecosystem. The company emphasizes that Quip operates atop Bitcoin using a smart contract layer that requires no changes to the existing network.
New era in security: WOTS+ and Layer 2 approach
Quip leverages an advanced cryptographic signature scheme known as WOTS+ (Winternitz One-Time Signature). WOTS+ stands out for its resilience, having already undergone extensive cryptographic testing. Unlike traditional elliptic curve cryptography, this method is structured specifically to withstand quantum computer attacks. Quip utilizes the Arch Network infrastructure, enabling developers to build smart contracts directly connected to Bitcoin’s base network. This enables new features to be introduced without having to update the core Bitcoin protocol.
These so-called Layer 2 solutions deliver fresh functionality without major changes to the main chain. Over recent years, this approach has gained visibility for helping Bitcoin scale and adapt more flexibly to user demands.
Alternative proposals and ongoing debates on quantum resistance
The threat of quantum computing has prompted several proposals within the Bitcoin community. Just two weeks ago, prominent developer Jameson Lopp and other experts proposed BIP-361, suggesting the phased removal of quantum-vulnerable addresses within five years and the freezing of wallets that do not migrate. Around 1.1 million BTC—believed to belong to Satoshi Nakamoto—could be affected by this process.
Another proposal generating considerable debate comes from Paul Sztorc, who supports an eCash hard fork. Sztorc advocates for duplicating the Bitcoin blockchain and creating a new system with seven sidechains, one of which would be designed to be fully quantum-resistant, with some assets redistributed as part of the process.
Colton Dillion, CEO of Postquant Labs, has noted that the Bitcoin community has long delayed addressing the quantum issue, whereas Quip can immediately deliver equivalent protection without any network upgrade.
Community concerns and expert skepticism
Quip’s approach does not require a soft fork or network-wide consensus on the Bitcoin protocol. The most recent major soft fork, Taproot, took place in 2021 and experts highlight that successfully implementing a new upgrade could take years.
Ongoing disagreements persist among stakeholders. Jameson Lopp questions the sufficiency of Layer 2 solutions like Quip, highlighting that mainnet transactions still expose public keys, potentially leaving them vulnerable to future quantum attacks. In contrast, Sztorc argues that incremental updates are inadequate and favors integrated quantum security from the outset.
The Quip wallet itself will not be available until next week, as third-party security audits are still underway. Similar technology is already in use on networks like Ethereum and Solana, but both Quip’s Bitcoin adaptation and the Arch Network platform are currently in their early stages.
According to Dr. Richard Carback, Postquant Labs’ technical lead, their solution narrows the quantum attack window to approximately 20 minutes, or two Bitcoin blocks. Meanwhile, Layer 2 proponents believe that protocol-level changes can be avoided, while critics continue to advocate for more extensive upgrades to the network.
Ultimately, which approach will prevail depends largely on how quickly quantum computers develop. So far, most Bitcoin investors seem to rely on conventional, mainchain-based security solutions as a hedge against these risks.
