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Bitcoin’s move toward post-quantum security has drawn criticism from Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson, who questioned the design choice behind the proposed protection model.
Hoskinson said Bitcoin appears to be choosing SPHINCS+, a quantum-resistant signature scheme. He argued that the approach is “least expressive and interesting,” pointing to what he described as limited flexibility and larger transaction sizes.
In his view, the selected system may protect the network against future quantum threats, but it offers little room for broader functionality in a post-quantum upgrade.
SPHINCS+ is a stateless hash-based signature scheme designed to resist attacks from quantum computers. It does not rely on complex mathematical structures, which some developers consider attractive because it supports simpler, defensive security tools.
However, the scheme comes with trade-offs. SPHINCS+ signatures are much larger than current ECDSA or Schnorr signatures, which could increase transaction size and create scalability pressure if adopted widely.
Hoskinson’s criticism also centered on what he described as a missed chance for a wider upgrade. He questioned whether Bitcoin should “lock itself into a rigid system now,” especially if other post-quantum options later prove more adaptable.
The debate reflects a broader tension between defensive design choices and future flexibility, particularly given Bitcoin’s slow upgrade cycle. Any decision made now could remain in place for years.
Bitcoin developers have often favored conservative changes aimed at reducing attack risks. From that perspective, SPHINCS+ aligns with the network’s preference for simpler mechanisms, since it relies on hash functions and avoids added complexity.
That framing suggests Bitcoin is treating post-quantum protection primarily as a defensive update rather than a feature expansion, which may appeal to developers who prioritize stability over additional capability.
Large-scale quantum computers cannot yet break Bitcoin’s current cryptography. Even so, the discussion has gained traction as more blockchain projects begin planning for long-term security changes.
With Bitcoin’s upgrade pace slow, the current debate has become a question of whether the network should prioritize immediate caution or preserve future flexibility as post-quantum technologies evolve.
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