BTQ Technologies Launches Bitcoin Quantum Testnet, Marking 17 Years Since Bitcoin's Genesis Block with First Quantum-Safe Fork

Rhea-AI Summary

BTQ Technologies (NASDAQ: BTQ) launched the Bitcoin Quantum testnet on Jan 12, 2026, a permissionless, NIST-compliant quantum-safe Bitcoin fork that replaces ECDSA with ML-DSA . The testnet invites miners, developers, researchers, and users to run nodes, audit cryptography, and stress-test quantum-resistant transactions ahead of a potential mainnet migration.

BTQ highlighted 6.26 million BTC (approx. $650–750 billion) with exposed public keys at risk, projects accumulating ~100,000 BTQ tokens in the first 12 months via a 3% mining-pool fee, and published technical specs including a 64 MiB block size to accommodate larger ML-DSA signatures.

Positive

• Implements NIST-standardized ML-DSA signatures
• Permissionless testnet enabling open ecosystem validation
• Projected accumulation of ~100,000 BTQ tokens in 12 months via 3% pool fee
• Public infrastructure: block explorer and mining pool live

Negative

• Approximately 6.26M BTC flagged as quantum-exposed public keys
• ML-DSA signatures increase transaction size by ~38–72x
• 64 MiB block size raises storage and bandwidth demands for nodes
• Industry timelines and quantum progress create a narrow migration window

News Market Reaction

+11.59%

14 alerts

+11.59% News Effect

+4.0% Peak Tracked

-2.4% Trough Tracked

+$83M Valuation Impact

$799M Market Cap

0.8x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, BTQ gained 11.59%, reflecting a significant positive market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +4.0% during that session. Argus tracked a trough of -2.4% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 14 alerts that day, indicating notable trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $83M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $799M at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

BTC value at risk: nearly $2T BTC with exposed keys: 6.26 million BTC BTC facing quantum risk: 6.65 million BTC +5 more

8 metrics

BTC value at risk nearly $2T BTC value referenced as at risk from quantum attacks

BTC with exposed keys 6.26 million BTC BTC already in addresses with exposed public keys

BTC facing quantum risk 6.65 million BTC BTC facing immediate quantum risk per Delphi Digital

Satoshi holdings estimate 600,000–1.1 million BTC Estimated BTC holdings attributed to Satoshi with exposed keys

Bitcoin holdings coverage $70+ billion Bitcoin holdings covered by SEC filings discussing quantum risk

IBIT assets $64 billion Assets in BlackRock iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT)

BTQ token accumulation 100,000 BTQ tokens Projected first 12 months via 3% mining pool fee

Tokenized assets projection $16 trillion Projected value of tokenized assets by 2030

Market Reality Check

Price: $5.55 Vol: Volume 1,944,481 is 0.64x...

low vol

$5.55 Last Close

Volume Volume 1,944,481 is 0.64x the 20-day average 3,018,043, showing muted trading ahead of this news. low

Technical Shares traded below the 200-day MA of 7.35, at a pre-news price of 5.09, near the 4.92 52-week low and well under the 16.00 52-week high.

Historical Context

5 past events · Latest: Jan 05 (Positive)

Pattern 5 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Jan 05	Board appointment	Positive	+5.6%	New director and audit chair with extensive capital markets experience.
Dec 29	Strategic update	Positive	-3.1%	Year-end CEO letter detailing 2025 progress on post-quantum products.
Dec 18	Strategic investment	Positive	+1.6%	Investment in Keypair to co-own PQC IP and support Korean infrastructure.
Dec 15	ETF inclusion	Positive	+7.5%	Addition to Defiance Quantum ETF to broaden visibility and access.
Dec 03	Crypto research	Positive	+8.8%	Delphi Digital coverage validating Bitcoin Quantum as quantum-safe network.

Pattern Detected

Recent company and crypto-focused announcements have usually seen positive price alignment, with one notable divergence on a broadly positive strategic update.

Recent Company History

Over the past months, BTQ reported several strategic milestones, including ETF inclusion, a Keypair investment for post-quantum IP, and a CEO year-end letter outlining progress across QCIM, QSSN, and QPerfect. A prior crypto-tagged update on Bitcoin Quantum and Delphi Digital’s coverage saw a 8.82% move. Today’s Bitcoin Quantum testnet launch continues that crypto narrative, emphasizing quantum-safe infrastructure and institutional readiness themes highlighted in earlier communications.

Market Pulse Summary

The stock surged +11.6% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with p...

Analysis

The stock surged +11.6% in the session following this news. A strong positive reaction aligns with prior crypto-tagged news, where Bitcoin Quantum updates previously coincided with notable gains such as the 8.82% move on Delphi Digital coverage. However, past events also show occasional divergence on broadly positive strategic news. Investors monitoring sustainability would weigh BTQ’s position near its 4.92 52-week low before this release and the company’s plans to accumulate around 100,000 BTQ tokens via mining revenues.

Key Terms

genesis block, ecdsa, post-quantum cryptography, proof-of-work, +2 more

6 terms

genesis block technical

"17 years after Satoshi Nakamoto mined Bitcoin's genesis block"

The genesis block is the first block in a blockchain, the origin entry that starts the chain of transactions — like the first page of a permanent public ledger or the seed from which all other records grow. For investors it matters because it establishes the network’s initial rules and supply, provides the immutable anchor for provenance and security, and helps assess a token’s authenticity and the project’s foundational integrity.

ecdsa technical

"Bitcoin Quantum replaces Bitcoin's quantum-vulnerable ECDSA signatures with ML-DSA"

Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) is a method for creating and checking digital signatures using math based on elliptic curves; think of it as a unique, tamper-proof wax seal for electronic messages and transactions. For investors, ECDSA matters because it protects the integrity and ownership of digital assets, verifies that transactions come from the right source, and means that poor key management or flawed implementations can lead to theft, fraud, or regulatory concerns.

post-quantum cryptography technical

"required to migrate to post-quantum cryptography by 2035 under NSM-10"

Post-quantum cryptography is a set of new methods for scrambling data so it stays secure even if powerful quantum computers exist; think of replacing today’s locks with designs that a future high‑speed lockpicker cannot open. For investors, it matters because companies must upgrade systems, meet regulations, and protect customer and trade data—creating costs, competitive advantages, or legal and reputational risks depending on how quickly and effectively they adopt these new security standards.

proof-of-work technical

"quantum-native proof-of-work research, and reuse of the stack"

A proof-of-work system is a method used by some digital networks to confirm transactions and secure the ledger by requiring participants to solve difficult computational puzzles; the first to solve a puzzle earns the right to add new records and receive a reward. For investors, it matters because it determines how much energy and hardware the network needs, affects transaction speed, security against attacks, and the supply rate and cost structure of the digital asset—factors that influence value and regulatory scrutiny.

block explorer technical

"The testnet infrastructure includes a block explorer at explorer.bitcoinquantum.com"

A block explorer is an online tool that lets anyone view the public record of transactions and balances on a blockchain, showing which addresses sent or received tokens, when blocks were added, and how many confirmations a transaction has. For investors it provides independent, real-time verification—like a searchable bank statement or package tracker—allowing you to confirm transfers, check token supply and activity, spot suspicious flows, and assess the liquidity and on-chain health of a digital asset.

mining pool technical

"and a mining pool at pool.bitcoinquantum.com"

A mining pool is a group of cryptocurrency miners who combine their computing power and share the rewards when a new block is found. Think of it like neighbors pooling money to buy a lottery ticket and splitting any winnings: individual payouts are smaller but come more regularly. For investors, pools affect the stability of mining revenue, the distribution of network power, and potential regulatory or concentration risks that can influence a coin’s market outlook.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

01/12/2026 - 07:30 AM

• Historic milestone: Bitcoin Quantum testnet launches, 17 years after Satoshi Nakamoto mined Bitcoin's genesis block, delivering the first quantum-safe Bitcoin fork using NIST-standardized ML-DSA cryptography.
  
  
• Open participation: The permissionless testnet invites miners, developers, researchers, and users to run nodes, build tooling, audit cryptography, and stress-test quantum-resistant transactions before mainnet migration.
  
  
• Institutional urgency validated: Leading research firm Delphi Digital identified Bitcoin Quantum as a "quantum canary" network in its comprehensive report, while BlackRock, VanEck, and other major asset managers now explicitly disclose quantum risk in SEC filings covering $70+ billion in Bitcoin holdings.
  
  
• Government mandates accelerating: With U.S. federal agencies required to migrate to post-quantum cryptography by 2035 under NSM-10, and the NSA mandating ML-DSA for all national security systems, Bitcoin Quantum demonstrates a production-ready path for the cryptocurrency industry to meet the same security standards.

VANCOUVER, BC, Jan. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - BTQ Technologies Corp. ("BTQ" or the "Company") (Nasdaq: BTQ) (CBOE CA: BTQ), a global quantum technology company focused on securing mission-critical networks, today announced the launch of the Bitcoin Quantum testnet, the first quantum-safe fork of Bitcoin, 17 years after Satoshi Nakamoto mined the Bitcoin genesis block on January 3, 2009.

The testnet launch marks a pivotal step toward protecting the nearly $2T BTC value at risk, with 6.26 million BTC (approximately $650–750 billion) already sitting in addresses with exposed public keys, vulnerable to future quantum attack. Bitcoin Quantum replaces Bitcoin's quantum-vulnerable ECDSA signatures with ML-DSA (Module-Lattice Digital Signature Algorithm), the same NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithm mandated by the U.S. government for protecting national security systems.

"Seventeen years ago, Bitcoin introduced a new paradigm for digital value. Today, we're launching the testnet that will help ensure Bitcoin's security model survives the quantum era," said Olivier Roussy Newton, CEO and Chairman of BTQ Technologies. "While the broader Bitcoin community deliberates on post-quantum approaches, we're providing a live, open environment where the entire industry can test, validate, and refine quantum-resistant solutions before the threat arrives."

Open and Permissionless: A Call to the Community

The Bitcoin Quantum testnet is fully open and permissionless, inviting participation across four key roles:

• Miners: Run a node, mine blocks, and send quantum-safe transactions to validate network consensus under realistic conditions.
  
  
• Developers: Create interfaces, build tooling, and launch mining pools to accelerate ecosystem development.
  
  
• Researchers: Audit the ML-DSA cryptographic implementation, benchmark performance characteristics, and probe attack models to strengthen security.
  
  
• Users: Set up a wallet, transact with others, and attempt to break things—helping identify vulnerabilities before mainnet deployment.

The testnet infrastructure includes a block explorer at explorer.bitcoinquantum.com and a mining pool at pool.bitcoinquantum.com, providing immediate accessibility for participants worldwide.

Delphi Digital Validates Bitcoin Quantum Thesis

In its December 2025 report, "BTQ Technologies: Securing Crypto's Future Against the Quantum Threat," leading digital asset research firm Delphi Digital positioned Bitcoin Quantum as a critical proving ground for the industry's quantum transition. Delphi's analysis highlighted that approximately 6.65 million BTC face immediate quantum risk due to permanently exposed public keys, including Satoshi Nakamoto's estimated holdings of 600,000–1.1 million BTC. The report characterized Bitcoin Quantum as a "quantum canary" network, a production-grade testbed enabling the crypto ecosystem to battle-test quantum-resistant solutions without risking the Bitcoin mainnet. Delphi Digital noted that BTQ may become "the ultimate quantum insurance policy that ensures the original promise of sovereign digital money survives the transition."

Quantum Computing Progress Creates Narrow Migration Window

The testnet launch arrives as quantum computing milestones accelerate at an unprecedented pace:

• Google's Willow chip (December 2024) achieved the first demonstration of "below-threshold" quantum error correction, a critical step toward scalable fault-tolerant quantum computers.
  
  
• Microsoft's Majorana 1 (February 2025) introduced the first topological qubit processor, potentially accelerating timelines for cryptographically relevant quantum computers.
  
  
• Industry roadmaps now target one million qubits by 2030, with researchers demonstrating 20x reductions in the physical qubit count required to run cryptanalytically relevant algorithms.

The "Harvest Now, Decrypt Later" threat compounds urgency as adversaries are already collecting blockchain keys to break in the future. A Federal Reserve study warned this is an "active threat," and Bitcoin's immutable public ledger means past transactions remain permanently vulnerable once quantum computers arrive. Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin has publicly stated there is a 20% probability that quantum computers capable of breaking current cryptography could arrive by 2030, recommending network readiness by 2035.

U.S. Government Mandates Validate Migration Imperative

On November 18, 2025, the Department of Defense issued a memorandum requiring all DoD components to phase out legacy cryptography and migrate to NIST-approved post-quantum algorithms by December 31, 2030. The memo cited the need for "expedited migration to quantum-resistant cryptography to safeguard the Department's information systems, communications, and personnel," and mandated immediate identification and inventory of all cryptographic systems across national security systems, weapons systems, cloud computing, mobile devices, and operational technology. The DoD directive builds upon a broader federal push toward quantum-safe infrastructure:

• NIST finalized ML-DSA as FIPS 204 on August 13, 2024, establishing it as the primary standard for post-quantum digital signatures, the same algorithm implemented in Bitcoin Quantum.
  
  
• NSA's CNSA 2.0 mandates ML-DSA for all National Security Systems, with legacy cryptography completely disallowed by 2035.
  
  
• The White House estimates $7.1 billion for government-wide PQC migration between 2025 and 2035.

Institutional Investors Acknowledge Quantum Risk

Major asset managers are now treating quantum computing as a material investment risk, lending urgency to Bitcoin Quantum's mission:

• BlackRock tripled the length of quantum risk disclosure in its iShares Bitcoin Trust (IBIT) prospectus, which holds $64 billion in assets, warning that quantum computing could "compromise the security of the Bitcoin network" and result in "losses to Shareholders."
  
  
• VanEck CEO Jan van Eck issued a stark warning in December, saying, "Ultimately, VanEck has been around before Bitcoin. We will walk away from Bitcoin if we think the thesis is fundamentally broken."
  
  
• JPMorgan Chase has made substantial quantum investments, including participation in a $300 million funding round for Quantinuum, with executives stating that quantum computing "will change the security landscape of technologies like blockchain and cryptocurrency in the foreseeable future."

Capturing Value Across the Quantum Transition

BTQ is building multiple revenue streams around the inevitable migration to quantum-safe infrastructure. BTQ will operate a Bitcoin Quantum mining pool, generating mining revenues to accumulate and hold Bitcoin Quantum tokens as a strategic treasury asset. This early positioning mirrors crypto-native treasury strategies, allowing BTQ to capture direct upside as network value grows. As the only production-ready quantum-safe Bitcoin fork, BTQ is positioned to capture mining economics in what may become the dominant post-quantum proof-of-work network.

BTQ Technologies will retain Bitcoin Quantum tokens as a strategic treasury asset. Through its mining pool (3% fee on all block rewards), the Company projects accumulation of approximately 100,000 BTQ tokens in the first twelve months of network operation, exclusive of tokens mined directly by the Company. These holdings will be retained on the corporate balance sheet, and the Company will evaluate appropriate uses for these holdings as the network matures.

As quantum-resistant transactions become the institutional standard for high-value on-chain assets, BTQ's infrastructure creates opportunities for security-as-a-service models, premium settlement layers, and quantum certification services. With tokenized assets projected to exceed $16 trillion by 2030, BTQ is positioned to monetize the cryptographic rails that institutional capital will require.

The Company's full-stack architecture enables value capture across both enterprise and permissionless markets. Centralized offerings such as the Quantum Secure Systems and Networks (QSSN) deliver managed services with the compliance frameworks, service-level agreements, and integration support that regulated institutions require.

Simultaneously, decentralized products like Bitcoin Quantum provide open, permissionless infrastructure for the broader crypto ecosystem. This dual approach enables BTQ to serve institutional clients seeking turnkey solutions while capturing value from organic network growth in public blockchain environments.

Bitcoin Core Progress Remains Limited

Despite the quantified risk, Bitcoin Core has made minimal progress on post-quantum cryptography. According to a May 2025 Chaincode Labs analysis, all Bitcoin post-quantum initiatives "remain at an early and exploratory stage, with much of the preliminary research still occurring informally and privately." BIP 360 (Pay to Quantum Resistant Hash), proposed in September 2024, remains in draft status. Bitcoin's conservative governance culture poses additional challenges. SegWit took approximately 8.5 years from conception to widespread adoption and Taproot took approximately 7.5 years. Bitcoin Quantum addresses this gap by providing a fully functional, NIST-compliant quantum-safe implementation that the community can evaluate, test, and iterate upon without waiting for Bitcoin Core consensus.

Testnet Technical Specifications

Bitcoin Quantum testnet implements the following technical enhancements:

• ML-DSA Integration: Complete replacement of ECDSA with FIPS 204 standardized ML-DSA, providing 128-bit post-quantum security.
  
  
• Increased Block Size: 64 MiB block size limit to accommodate larger post-quantum signatures (ML-DSA signatures are approximately 38–72x larger than ECDSA).
  
  
• Full Transaction Lifecycle: Support for wallet creation, transaction signing, verification, and mining with quantum-resistant cryptography.
  
  
• Infrastructure: Block explorer available at explorer.bitcoinquantum.com; mining pool available at pool.bitcoinquantum.com.

"The quantum threat doesn't wait for consensus," concluded Roussy Newton. "By launching this testnet on the 17th anniversary of Bitcoin's genesis block, we're honoring Satoshi's vision of a secure, decentralized monetary system while ensuring that vision can survive the most significant cryptographic transition in computing history."

About Bitcoin Quantum
Bitcoin Quantum is a post-quantum proof-of-work cryptocurrency designed for the quantum era. It maintains Bitcoin's economic model and network architecture while implementing quantum-resistant cryptographic primitives and enhanced transaction capacity specifically designed for large post-quantum signatures. Built on Bitcoin Core's proven codebase, Bitcoin Quantum features a 64 MiB block size limit and integrates a PPK (Post-Quantum Key) infrastructure that enables seamless integration of future quantum-resistant signature algorithms. For more information, visit https://www.bitcoinquantum.com/

About BTQ

BTQ Technologies Corp. (Nasdaq: BTQ | Cboe CA: BTQ ) is a vertically integrated quantum company accelerating the transition from classical networks to the quantum internet. Backed by a broad patent portfolio, BTQ pioneered the industry's first commercially significant quantum advantage and now delivers a full-stack, neutral-atom quantum computing platform with end-to-end hardware, middleware, and post-quantum security solutions for finance, telecommunications, logistics, life sciences, and defense.

Connect with BTQ: Website | LinkedIn | X/Twitter

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Olivier Roussy Newton
CEO, Chairman

Neither Cboe Canada nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Information 

Certain statements herein contain forward-looking statements and forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Such forward-looking statements or information include but are not limited to statements or information with respect to the business plans of the Company, including with respect to its research partnerships, and anticipated markets in which the Company may be listing its common shares. Forward-looking statements or information often can be identified by the use of words such as "anticipate", "intend", "expect", "plan" or "may" and the variations of these words are intended to identify forward-looking statements and information.

The Company has made numerous assumptions including among other things, assumptions about general business and economic conditions, the development of post-quantum algorithms and quantum vulnerabilities, and the quantum computing industry generally. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

Although management of the Company believes that the assumptions made and the expectations represented by such statements or information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that forward-looking statements or information herein will prove to be accurate. Forward-looking statements and information are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks which may cause actual results to be materially different from any future results, expressed or implied, by such forward-looking statements or information. These factors include risks relating to: the availability of financing for the Company; business and economic conditions in the post-quantum and encryption computing industries generally; the speculative nature of the Company's research and development programs; the supply and demand for labour and technological post-quantum and encryption technology; unanticipated events related to regulatory and licensing matters and environmental matters; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; changes in laws (including regulations respecting blockchains); risks related to the direct and indirect impact of COVID-19 including, but not limited to, its impact on general economic conditions, the ability to obtain financing as required, and causing potential delays to research and development activities; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.

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SOURCE BTQ Technologies Corp.

FAQ

What did BTQ announce about the Bitcoin Quantum testnet on Jan 12, 2026 (BTQ)?

BTQ launched a permissionless Bitcoin Quantum testnet replacing ECDSA with ML-DSA (FIPS 204) to test quantum-resistant transactions and tooling.

How many BTC did BTQ say are exposed to quantum risk?

BTQ cited approximately 6.26 million BTC (roughly $650–750 billion) as held in addresses with exposed public keys.

What technical changes does the BTQ Bitcoin Quantum testnet use?

Key changes include ML-DSA (FIPS 204) signatures and a 64 MiB block size to accommodate larger post-quantum signatures.

How can developers and miners participate in the BTQ testnet (BTQ)?

Participants can run nodes, mine blocks, build tooling, audit cryptography, and use the live explorer.bitcoinquantum.com and pool.bitcoinquantum.com resources.

What financial plan did BTQ disclose for Bitcoin Quantum tokens?

BTQ projects accumulating about 100,000 BTQ tokens in the first 12 months via a 3% fee on mining pool block rewards, to be held on the corporate balance sheet.

Why does BTQ say the migration to post-quantum crypto is urgent?

BTQ cited accelerating quantum computing milestones, institutional risk disclosures, and government mandates (e.g., NSA/NIST timelines) that compress migration timelines.