A new draft proposal, known as BIP-360, has been introduced to enhance Bitcoin's security against the potential future threat of quantum computing. The proposal, titled "Pay-to-Merkle-Root" (P2MR), is designed to protect the network from "long-exposure" quantum attacks by addressing a vulnerability in advanced address types like Taproot.
The core issue lies in the "key-path spend" feature, which exposes a public key on the blockchain. In theory, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could use this exposed key to derive the corresponding private key and steal funds. BIP-360's P2MR mechanism removes this vulnerability by allowing users to commit to the root of a script tree without revealing an internal public key, thereby closing this primary attack vector.
This technical upgrade is seen as a significant leap for Bitcoin's long-term security. It allows the network to retain advanced scripting capabilities necessary for protocols like the Lightning Network while proactively securing it against a future existential threat. The proposal was highlighted by developer Murch on social media on February 11, 2026.
Analysts suggest that mitigating the "quantum threat" could have profound implications for Bitcoin's valuation. By addressing a key source of long-term uncertainty and future-proofing the protocol, the perceived risk premium for institutional investors could diminish. This could potentially trigger a major repricing event, strengthening Bitcoin's value proposition as "digital gold" and cementing its status for the next century. The article posits that this development could align with extreme bull case scenarios, though it notes that the immediate technical step is for Bitcoin to hold the $60,000 support level.
Concurrently, the article discusses growing activity in Bitcoin's transaction layer, referencing a "Bitcoin Super Cycle" alluded to by Binance founder CZ. It highlights the presale for "Bitcoin Hyper," a Layer-2 solution built on the Solana Virtual Machine (SVM), which claims to have raised $31.4 million. This project is presented as aiming to provide fast, cheap utility for BTC capital.
