The U.S. government is preparing a wide range of executive orders to reorganize and align federal investments, infrastructure, security, and commercialization of quantum technologies.
The directive, titled “Deploying the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation,” would establish a “whole-of-government” approach to quantum information science and technology (QIST), according to a draft order obtained by the Nextgov/FCW site on February 3. Fields defined by the draft itself as a “unique opportunity” from both an economic and national security perspective.
The central objective is to strengthen the competitiveness of the United States; Reduce security and supply chain risks and accelerate the transition from laboratory research to commercialization.
The document positions the Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) as the primary coordinator and assigns missions to commerce, energy, and defense, with participation from the intelligence community and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
In addition to promoting collaboration with industry and allied countries, it also includes measures. Protect sensitive quantum research and harden counterintelligence components against the risk of espionage and abuse.
The draft order gives OSTP, Commerce, Energy, and Defense a 180-day deadline to update the National Quantum Strategy, and requires each agency to report how they plan to implement it within 30 days of publication.
Second, it proposes accelerated capabilities and infrastructure, including a national effort on quantum computers for scientific applications (with at least one system housed in a Department of Energy facility). He also highlights the following omissions: The draft does not incorporate any specific provisions regarding post-quantum cryptography, even though it is relevant to the protection of information in the future.
What does this have to do with Bitcoin?
The relationship with Bitcoin is indirect but delicate. The technical debate revolves around whether, in future scenarios, quantum computers with sufficient capacity could weaken public-key cryptography used to authorize fund transfers.
As reported by CriptoNoticias, possible readiness paths are being discussed within the ecosystem, including the future adoption of quantum computing-resistant cryptography and migration mechanisms for users. This is an open discussion, with no unambiguous consensus. It depends on the actual pace of development of this technology.
In that framework, a more aggressive quantum policy by the United States, such as the one proposed in this order, could accelerate investment, human resources, and national coordination in this area and shorten the monitoring timelines for systems that rely on public-key cryptography.
nevertheless, There is currently no public evidence that quantum computers exist that can compromise Bitcoin on a practical scale.Therefore, this issue remains an area of technical preparation and discussion regarding update routes rather than an immediate threat.
Within this framework, Strategy, which holds the most BTC in its treasury, will launch a Bitcoin Security Program to coordinate the development of quantum-resistant solutions in collaboration with the global cybersecurity and financial and technology communities.
In any case, it’s worth noting that the company’s CEO Michael Saylor has minimized concerns about quantum computing.
To him, this is still a technology in its infancy, and industry consensus suggests it will be at least a decade before it becomes a real threat. He also emphasized that Bitcoin is an upgradable network and can adapt to become more resilient.
Meanwhile, the draft executive order suggests that quantum computing is on track to establish itself as a central pillar of U.S. strategy in science, technology and national security, with effects that could extend far beyond academia.