Galaxy Digital Inc. is investing up to $5 million in grants to safeguard Bitcoin from quantum computing threats, as announced on July 21, 2026. , the US-based crypto financial services company, announced on July 21, 2026, the launch of its Bitcoin Quantum Readiness Initiative. The firm is committing up to $5 million in grants to developers and researchers working on solutions to protect Bitcoin from the potential threats posed by quantum computing. This proactive move aims to safeguard the foundational cryptography underpinning the world’s largest cryptocurrency.
The initiative, which includes a research program and an advisory council of leading experts, underscores a growing industry awareness that the theoretical threat of quantum computers cracking current encryption methods is becoming a more concrete concern. Bitcoin relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECDSA-256), a system that could eventually be vulnerable to sufficiently powerful quantum machines.
Funding the future of Bitcoin’s security
Galaxy’s new initiative is structured around three key pillars to tackle this complex challenge. A significant portion of the commitment, up to $5 million, will directly fund a developer grant program.
These grants will support the creation and implementation of quantum-resistant transaction proposals, the development of post-quantum signature schemes for Bitcoin, and tools to help wallets and custodians migrate to these new standards. The program also covers security audits for proposed implementations, ensuring new solutions are robust.
Galaxy has indicated it will begin accepting grant applications immediately, with funding distributed on a milestone basis. Interested parties can reach out to quantum@galaxy.com for more details on the application process.
Bridging the quantum development gap
A crucial aspect of Galaxy’s strategy is to foster collaboration between the rapidly evolving quantum computing sector and the Bitcoin development community. Alex Thorn, Head of Firmwide Research at Galaxy, highlighted this disparity.
“There’s a gap between the quantum computing world, which is moving fast, and the Bitcoin development world, which is just beginning to engage with post-quantum cryptography in earnest,” Thorn said. Galaxy plans to bridge this by publishing accessible research and funding technical developers.
The initiative also features a Quantum Advisory Council, comprising experts like Barry Sanders from the University of Calgary, Damien Bérubé from MIT Sea Grant, and Eran Tromer from Boston University. This council will guide Galaxy’s research efforts and assist in evaluating grant proposals, ensuring a high level of expertise in addressing quantum preparedness.
The accelerating threat of quantum computing
While a cryptographically relevant quantum computer doesn’t exist today, the timeline for its development is reportedly shortening. This has prompted warnings from government experts that “Q-Day,” the point at which quantum computers could break existing encryption, might arrive as soon as 2030.
The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) finalized its first post-quantum cryptography standards in 2024, reflecting the urgency of the matter. Furthermore, a U.S. executive order has set a 2031 deadline for federal agencies to prepare their systems against quantum attacks.
Research published in March 2026 by Google Quantum AI, in collaboration with the Ethereum Foundation, estimated that ECDSA-256 could be compromised with fewer than 500,000 physical qubits under optimal conditions. This highlights the concrete, rather than purely theoretical, nature of the threat.
A significant portion of Bitcoin’s circulating supply, approximately 35%, currently holds exposed public keys. This represents about 1.7 million BTC held in legacy payment addresses which could be more vulnerable to quantum attacks.
Wider industry efforts for Bitcoin security
Galaxy isn’t the only entity recognizing the need for proactive measures. Other major players in the crypto space have also begun to address the quantum threat to Bitcoin security.
Coinbase, for instance, established an independent advisory council on quantum computing and blockchain in January, releasing its initial position paper in April. Their findings suggest no immediate threat, but emphasize the necessity for early preparations due to the time-consuming nature of transitioning to post-quantum cryptography.
Michael Saylor’s Strategy announced its own Bitcoin Security Program in February, focusing on similar concerns. At the protocol level, proposals like BIP-360 and BIP-361 are already in motion, exploring solutions for post-quantum signatures within Bitcoin’s framework.
This widespread engagement across institutions and core development reflects a concerted effort to ensure the long-term viability and security of digital assets. Ethereum and XRP Ledger ecosystems are also undertaking similar preparations, underscoring a broader industry-wide push for cryptographic resilience.
What’s next for the initiative
Galaxy’s research team will continue publishing analysis on quantum computing risks, aiming to keep institutional investors, policymakers, and developers informed. This ongoing stream of information is crucial for maintaining transparency and awareness.
The company has also extended an invitation to other institutions and Bitcoin stakeholders. They encourage collaboration through co-funding grants, contributing research, or helping to develop post-quantum tools. This collaborative approach could accelerate the development and adoption of necessary safeguards.
Mike Novogratz, Founder and CEO of Galaxy, stressed the firm’s dedication. “As leaders in the digital assets space, we believe it’s important that we help be part of the solution to any potential threat quantum computing poses to Bitcoin,” he stated, reinforcing the long-term commitment to Bitcoin’s security.