# Stellar rolls out quantum‑safe migration plan as crypto prepares for **Published:** 2026-06-13T04:02:23.903Z **Topic:** Stellar **Sentiment:** neutral **Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/76779ba1-8abf-4202-a416-c3796c6f4749 Stellar unveils a three‑stage roadmap to post‑quantum cryptography, aiming for enterprise migration in 2026 and full upgrade by 2027, while Bitcoin and Stellar’s development team announced a comprehensive plan to shield its blockchain from future quantum attacks, targeting a phased migration to quantum‑safe signatures beginning in 2026 and completing by the end of 2027 without requiring address changes [1]. The move comes as industry leaders warn that quantum computers could eventually undermine the cryptographic foundations of major cryptocurrencies. **Key takeaways** - Stellar’s roadmap adds post‑quantum verification to its smart‑contract layer in 2026, allowing enterprise wallets to start migrating [1]. - By 2027 every Stellar account can attach a quantum‑safe signer while retaining its existing address, avoiding a disruptive balance transfer [1]. - The timeline for a full deprecation of current cryptography will be set based on quantum progress and community consensus, with dormant accounts posing an unresolved challenge [1]. - Bitcoin’s chief executive Adam Back says quantum risk is real but not imminent, recommending a decade‑long window for key migration [2]. - Research cited by Citi and Google suggests Bitcoin may face a higher quantum threat than Ethereum, highlighting governance and upgrade speed as critical factors [3]. ## Stellar’s three‑stage quantum preparedness plan The Stellar Development Foundation outlined a three‑phase strategy that leverages the network’s unique separation of account identity from signing keys. In the first stage, slated for 2026, post‑quantum signature verification will be integrated into Stellar’s smart‑contract layer, giving enterprise wallets an immediate path to adopt quantum‑resistant keys [1]. The second stage, scheduled for 2027, involves a protocol‑level upgrade that lets every account add a quantum‑safe signer while keeping the same public address, thereby sidestepping the need for users to move funds or create new accounts [1]. The final stage will retire the legacy elliptic‑curve cryptography once the community deems quantum hardware sufficiently advanced; the exact timing will be decided through open discussion rather than a top‑down mandate [1]. A lingering issue is how to handle dormant accounts whose owners cannot be reached. Freezing such accounts could lock valuable assets, but the Foundation indicated that any hard cutoff would require broad community input rather than unilateral action [1]. ## How Stellar’s timeline compares with Bitcoin and Ethereum While Stellar moves toward a 2026‑2027 migration, Bitcoin’s leadership frames the quantum threat as a longer‑term concern. Blockstream CEO Adam Back argues that current quantum hardware lacks error correction and therefore does not pose a practical danger today, but he urges the ecosystem to allow roughly ten years for users to transition to quantum‑ready keys [2]. This perspective aligns with recent NIST post‑quantum standards finalized in late 2024, which are already being explored by Bitcoin researchers. In contrast, a Citi research note and a Google‑Stanford study suggest Bitcoin may be more vulnerable than Ethereum, citing lower resource requirements to break Bitcoin’s elliptic‑curve signatures and slower governance processes that could delay a network‑wide upgrade [3]. Ethereum has already begun implementing post‑quantum upgrades, such as the Pectra upgrade launched in May 2025, indicating a more proactive stance compared with Bitcoin’s slower consensus‑driven path [3]. ## Why it matters Stellar’s approach demonstrates how a blockchain can leverage its architecture to minimize disruption while preparing for a future where quantum computers could compromise existing cryptography. The plan’s staged rollout offers a template for other networks grappling with the same risk, especially as estimates for a “Q‑Day” converge around 2029–2030, according to NIST and industry forecasts [1]. Bitcoin’s slower governance and higher perceived quantum exposure underscore the urgency for coordinated migration strategies across the crypto ecosystem. As quantum research accelerates, the next few years will be critical for establishing resilient, post‑quantum infrastructures before the theoretical threat becomes a practical reality. ## Sources 1. Decrypt — [A Quantum Clock Is Ticking for Bitcoin and Crypto—Here's How Stellar Is Preparing](https://decrypt.co/370570/quantum-clock-ticking-bitcoin-crypto-how-stellar-preparing) 2. CoinDesk — [Bitcoin’s quantum threat is distant, but migration clock is ticking, says Adam Back](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/04/08/bitcoin-s-quantum-threat-is-distant-but-migration-clock-is-ticking-says-adam-back-says) 3. CoinDesk — [The quantum clock is ticking: it's Bitcoin's problem, not Ethereum's](https://www.coindesk.com/opinion/2026/06/10/the-quantum-clock-is-ticking-it-s-bitcoin-s-problem-not-ethereum-s) --- Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Stellar rolls out quantum‑safe migration plan as crypto prepares for", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/76779ba1-8abf-4202-a416-c3796c6f4749