Excitement is building as a new panel has been officially announced for the upcoming Bitcoin 2026 conference. Titled “How Real Is The Quantum Threat?”, this panel will explore one of the most significant technical discussions within the Bitcoin community. Featuring a diverse lineup of experts, the conversation aims to address the varied facets of the quantum computing challenge facing Bitcoin today.

The featured panelists include:

Hunter Beast, a senior protocol engineer for the Anduro sidechain platform nurtured by MARA, is a notable contributor to BIP 360. This proposal introduces a novel Bitcoin wallet address type that seeks to enhance the network’s resilience against quantum threats. The adoption of BIP 360 in February 2026 and its deployment in March on the Bitcoin Quantum Testnet v0.3.0 signifies critical progress in reinforcing Bitcoin’s security framework.

James O’Beirne has been intimately involved with Bitcoin Core since 2015, spearheading numerous projects such as OP_VAULT (BIP-345) and assumeutxo, having previously collaborated at Chaincode Labs.

Brandon Black, a Bitcoin software engineer, has taken to the public stage to clarify common misconceptions regarding the timelines involved in quantum computing advancements.

Charles Edwards from Capriole strongly contends that the pace of quantum computing’s progression may outstrip expectations, advocating for an expedited implementation of BIP-360 by 2026.

Alex Thorn, head of research at Galaxy Digital, presents a more balanced perspective, acknowledging the quantum threat to Bitcoin as tangible yet currently limited, impacting only certain vulnerable wallets. He emphasizes ongoing development efforts aimed at creating solutions over time.

The panel is set to engage in a thoroughly insightful dialogue surrounding quantum computing developments, Bitcoin’s cryptographic status, and the strategic path toward long-term resilience of the protocol. As developers continue to innovate with solutions such as quantum-resistant addresses and phased upgrade proposals, this panel gathers some of the brightest minds actively working on these critical upgrades. Attendees can catch the discussion on April 29 at the Nakamoto Stage during Bitcoin 2026, held at The Venetian Resort in Las Vegas.