expert: Satoshi’s 1.1M bitcoin and millions more can be saved from quantum attack, says expert

Researchers at the privacy-centric blockchain startup say their multi-layer quantum defense will feature a soft fork to freeze and protect dormant BTC. What to know : AmericanFortress has unveiled a patent-pending post-quantum signature scheme that aims to protect existing crypto assets, including dormant wallets, from future quantum attacks without mass fund migrations. The proposed protocol would use a backward-compatible soft fork and zero-knowledge proofs to freeze and secure vulnerable pre-BIP32 bitcoin addresses, such as Satoshi-era wallets, while allowing governance to later decide whether to move, burn or redistribute the funds. Backed by an $8 million seed round, AmericanFortress says its approach offers quantum protection for major chains like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana and Tron with negligible performance impact and simple node and wallet software updates.