BTQ Technologies surges 11.59% after launching quantum-safe Bitcoin fork with NIST ML-DSA

BTQ Technologies surged 11.59% in pre-market trading on January 13, 2026, following the launch of its Bitcoin Quantum testnet—a quantum-safe fork of Bitcoin using NIST-standardized ML-DSA cryptography. The testnet, unveiled 17 years after Bitcoin’s genesis block, aims to address quantum computing risks by replacing ECDSA signatures with post-quantum algorithms, aligning with U.S. government mandates for quantum-resistant infrastructure.

The open-source testnet invites miners, developers, and researchers to validate quantum-safe transactions ahead of a potential mainnet migration. BTQ’s initiative has drawn institutional scrutiny, with Delphi Digital labeling it a “quantum canary” network.

Major asset managers, including BlackRock and VanEck, have increasingly disclosed quantum risks in regulatory filings, underscoring urgency as quantum computing milestones accelerate. The testnet’s 64 MiB block size accommodates larger post-quantum signatures, addressing scalability concerns.

Government directives, such as the DoD’s 2030 deadline for quantum-safe migration, and NSA mandates for ML-DSA in national security systems, validate BTQ’s approach. The company plans to operate a mining pool and retain Bitcoin Quantum tokens as a strategic asset, mirroring crypto-native treasury strategies. While Bitcoin Core’s progress on quantum upgrades remains limited, BTQ’s testnet offers a production-ready alternative, positioning the firm to capture value as institutional demand for quantum-resistant infrastructure grows.

The growing adoption of quantum-resistant infrastructure and the increasing attention from both private and public sectors suggest that BTQ is well-positioned to benefit from the transition. Analysts predict that Bitcoin Quantum could serve as a blueprint for securing traditional blockchains against future threats. As more entities align their strategies with quantum-safe standards, BTQ’s early-mover advantage may translate into long-term market dominance and investor confidence.