BitMEX Research: BIP-361's 'Quantum Freeze' May Freeze Markets Before Threats Arise

Following widespread discussion on the BIP-361 'Quantum Freeze' proposal, BitMEX Research released a lengthy analysis indicating that the scheme attempts to preemptively freeze potentially quantum-vulnerable addresses with a 'one-size-fits-all' mechanism. The risk is that it may mistakenly affect legitimate assets and normal transactions before actual quantum attacks occur, causing market panic. The research team believes this design is 'technically feasible but economically too destructive.'

BitMEX proposed an alternative concept: establishing a 'canary observation state.' After five years, a special address would be pre-set as a 'canary fund' and verifiably proven to have no private key holder. As long as this address remains unused, it indicates that quantum attacks are not feasible; once a valid spending transaction from this address is detected on-chain, the system can treat it as an actual attack signal and automatically trigger freeze logic.

This model has been described by several cryptographic researchers as a 'dynamic early warning system for quantum threats,' capable of providing on-chain adaptive responses to sudden quantum breakthroughs without disrupting market operations.

Source: Public Information