Quantum Alliance forms to set post-quantum crypto standards

Nine crypto companies have launched the Quantum Alliance to jointly prepare for quantum computers, developing open standards for post-quantum security, wallet protection and cross-chain compatibility across bitcoin, Ethereum and other blockchain networks. The group unveiled the alliance Thursday amid warnings that a sufficiently powerful quantum machine could derive private keys from exposed public keys on roughly 6.4 million bitcoin, including Satoshi-era and long-dormant wallets.

• Members disagree on when the threat will arrive and on whether vulnerable BTC should be frozen, underscoring how little consensus exists on next steps even as migration planning begins.