BTQ Technologies launches Bitcoin Quantum testnet, the first quantum-safe fork of Bitcoin, adopting ML-DSA post-quantum signatures to replace ECDSA and align with NIST standards.

The testnet serves as a timely tribute to Bitcoin’s history while marking a crucial cryptographic transition aimed at securing the network’s value and resilience against quantum risks.

Launched on the 17th anniversary of Bitcoin’s genesis, the Bitcoin Quantum testnet demonstrates a production-grade, post-quantum path for Bitcoin’s security model.

BTQ’s stock has traded around $5.09 per share, delivering roughly 70% returns over the past year but dipping about 31% in the last six months, according to InvestingPro data.

Institutional attention to quantum risk grows, with BlackRock’s iShares Bitcoin Trust expanding its quantum risk disclosure in line with broader risk disclosures in crypto holdings.

Major asset managers and banks, including BlackRock, VanEck, and JPMorgan Chase, are signaling demand for quantum-safe rails through disclosures and investments in quantum initiatives.

BTQ has pursued strategic moves, including the €2 million acquisition of neutral-atom quantum firm QPerfect, an investment in Korean security firm Keypair, and leadership appointments and capabilities, such as a GPU-accelerated quantum emulator showcased at SC25.

BTQ plans to operate a Bitcoin Quantum mining pool and aims to accumulate about 100,000 BTQ tokens in the first year, using fork proceeds as strategic assets and treasury holdings.

The testnet is open and permissionless, inviting miners, developers, researchers, and users to run nodes, build tools, audit cryptography, and stress-test quantum-resistant transactions ahead of mainnet migration.

Technical changes include replacing ECDSA with ML-DSA, increasing block size to 64 MB to accommodate larger post-quantum signatures, and providing a production-grade toolset such as a block explorer and mining pool.

Bitcoin Core discussions around post-quantum protections persist, with BIP 360 still in draft while Bitcoin Quantum presents a ready testbed to accelerate industry testing and validation.