Trump Signs Executive Orders to Protect U.S. Systems from Quantum Computing Threats

Highlights:

• President Trump ordered federal agencies to prepare critical systems for future quantum computing threats.
• The order sets PQC migration deadlines, with high-value systems targeted by 2030 and 2031.
• Crypto could also face quantum risks, as Bitcoin and major blockchains research stronger protections.

U.S. President Donald Trump signed a new executive order on Monday, directing federal agencies to protect important systems from future quantum computing threats. The order, titled “Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks,” was published on the official White House website and listed as Executive Order 14409.

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The order warns that powerful quantum computers could one day break the encryption used to protect U.S. government data, critical infrastructure, and the wider digital economy. The White House also raised concern that foreign adversaries may already be collecting sensitive U.S. information today, with the aim of decrypting it later when quantum computers become strong enough. This risk is commonly known as “harvest now, decrypt later.”

To reduce this risk, the order directs federal agencies to adopt Post-Quantum Cryptography, or PQC. PQC is a new form of encryption designed to remain secure even if powerful quantum computers become available in the future. The order says these encryption standards will follow the guidelines set by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST).

PRESIDENTIAL ACTION, EXECUTIVE ORDER
Securing the Nation Against Advanced Cryptographic Attacks

Executive Order 14409 mandates a transition to post-quantum cryptography (PQC) for U.S. federal information systems and critical infrastructure. Agencies must identify PQC migration…

— whitehouse.gov News (@whgovnews) June 22, 2026

Federal Agencies Get Clear Deadlines to Move to Post-Quantum Cryptography

The order also sets firm deadlines for federal agencies. Within 30 days, every agency must appoint a “PQC migration lead” to oversee the transition. Within 90 days, the Office of Management and Budget must issue guidance on how agencies should carry out the shift. After that, agencies must move all high-value assets and high-impact systems to PQC for key establishment by December 31, 2030. They must also move to PQC for digital signatures by December 31, 2031.

NIST has been directed to launch a pilot project within 180 days. That project must be completed by December 31, 2027. The order also gives a role to the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency, or CISA. Together with NIST, CISA will help critical infrastructure operators prepare their own PQC migration plans. Federal contractors will also be required to follow PQC rules once changes are made to the Federal Acquisition Regulation.

Why This Matters for Crypto

Quantum computing also matters for the cryptocurrency industry because digital assets rely on encryption that powerful quantum machines could one day break.

A recent report from Coinbase’s Independent Advisory Board on Quantum Computing and Blockchain estimated that around 7 million Bitcoins are held in addresses that could face future quantum risk. These include Satoshi-era wallets and some active cold wallets managed by known exchanges.

Cybersecurity startup Project Eleven also warned in a May report that “Q-Day,” the point when quantum computers can break modern encryption, could arrive as early as 2030. Major blockchain projects, including Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, and Tron, have already started researching quantum-resistant upgrades.

On March 25, Google said in a blog post that banks, governments, and technology providers should move to post-quantum cryptography by 2029. Moreover, Caltech and Oratomic researchers also warned that practical quantum computers could become possible before 2030.

🚨JUST IN: QUANTUM COMPUTERS FEASIBLE BY 2030 AS BITCOIN VULNERABILITY FEARS GROW

Researchers at Caltech now believe a functional quantum computer could be operational before the end of the decade.

The team says a working machine may need as few as 10,000 to 20,000 qubits, far… pic.twitter.com/cr8B0oBhKY

— BSCN (@BSCNews) April 1, 2026

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