decrypt.co
In brief
- Trump signed executive orders focused on quantum computing and post-quantum cryptography.
- The administration is targeting a scientifically relevant quantum computer by 2028.
- Federal agencies must transition to post-quantum cryptography by the end of 2031, four years earlier than previously planned.
President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Monday aimed at strengthening U.S. leadership in quantum computing while accelerating the federal government's transition to post-quantum cryptography.
The move advances Washington's efforts to prepare for “Q-Day,” a future in which quantum computers could crack widely used encryption and cryptography standards that protect everything from government networks to cryptocurrency wallets.
Speaking before the orders were signed, White House science advisor Michael Kratsios said quantum technology remains a national security and economic priority.
“President Trump has long recognized the importance of quantum as an economic and national security imperative for the nation,” Kratsios said. “In his first term, he signed the National Quantum Initiative Act into law, doubled the federal R&D budget for quantum research, and his administration launched five national quantum research institutes. Now, in a second term, we aren't letting our foot off the gas.”
The first order, Ushering in the Next Frontier of Quantum Innovation, directs federal agencies to pursue the development of what the administration calls a "scientifically relevant" quantum computer by 2028. The order also calls on the Departments of Commerce, Energy, and Defense, along with NASA, to develop plans for deploying quantum sensors and networking technologies within five years.
During the briefing, a senior White House official said the Department of Energy will define the technical specifications for the system and that the goal is to deploy it at a national laboratory or other DOE facility. Officials described the effort as an intermediate step toward larger, more powerful quantum systems.
The second order focuses on cybersecurity. According to a senior White House official, it moves the federal deadline for adopting post-quantum cryptography to December 2031, replacing a 2035 target established under National Security Memorandum-10. The order also directs the Department of Commerce to launch a pilot migration project through the National Institute of Standards and Technology to transition federal systems by the end of 2027. The order also tasks the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency with supporting critical infrastructure operators as they transition to quantum-resistant encryption.
The orders also call for expanded workforce development programs, stronger domestic supply chains, increased coordination with allies, and broader efforts to protect quantum research from cyber and counterintelligence threats. Officials said those efforts will include expanding the FBI's Quantum Information Science and Technology Counterintelligence Protection Team.
“These policies will drive transformational growth in existing and entirely new industries, and manufacturing, drug discovery, energy, agriculture, and more,” Kratsios said. “Quantum breakthroughs mean innovation, economic growth, national security that will benefit the American people for decades to come.”
The order comes as the crypto industry accelerates preparations for a post-quantum future. In March, Google set a 2029 deadline to adopt post-quantum cryptography, while BTQ Technologies launched a Bitcoin testnet built around the quantum-resistance proposal BIP-360. In April, developers proposed BIP-361, which would eventually freeze Bitcoin held in vulnerable legacy addresses if owners fail to migrate.
More recently, Stellar unveiled a quantum migration roadmap, while Coinbase's quantum advisory council warned that roughly 7 million Bitcoin could eventually be vulnerable to quantum attacks, and Algorand announced plans to achieve broad quantum resilience by 2027.