What happened
Ethereum already tests alternative signatures, while P2MR in Bitcoin by itself does not add post-quantum protection.
Why it matters
The transition to post-quantum security affects not only new signatures but also the protection of existing accounts; Bitcoin and Ethereum have different starting conditions.
The Defiant reports that Ethereum already allows contracts to verify alternative signatures. At the same time, protecting existing accounts requires more than adding a new signer.
The same piece states that the proposal P2MR for Bitcoin by itself does not add post-quantum signatures. Details on implementation, timelines, and impact on users are not disclosed in the provided package.
Confirmed facts
- The Defiant published a piece on the different approaches of Bitcoin and Ethereum to post-quantum wallets.
- Ethereum contracts can already verify alternative signatures.
- Protection of existing Ethereum accounts requires more than adding a new signer.
- The proposal P2MR for Bitcoin by itself does not add post-quantum signatures.
Context
The basis of the report is a single independent publication from The Defiant; the package only includes its metadata synopsis, not the full text.
What remains unknown
- Which exact mechanisms for protecting existing Ethereum accounts are being considered?
- How does P2MR relate to future adding post-quantum signatures in Bitcoin?
- Do the developers of either protocol have timelines or agreed transition plans?
Editorial context
Confidence: medium
Probable meaning: developers will have to separately decide on compatibility of new signing schemes with existing accounts and addresses. The next observable signals will be concrete migration proposals or protocol changes. Substantial uncertainty remains due to lack of technical details in the package and confirmation from other sources.