[Cfrg] Recommending secp256k1 in FIPS 186-5

[Dan Burnett <[e-mail]>]

Hello,

I have been a participant in several IETF Working Groups over the
years, most recently RTCWEB (and W3C's WebRTC), but not this RG in
particular.  However, I frequently recommend this group as highly
knowledgeable when it comes to wise choices in cryptographic
recommendations.  I learn something new every time I sit in on this group's
sessions at IETF meetings.

As mentioned in another thread, NIST is seeking feedback on their
recently-released draft of FIPS 186-5. [1]
My company and others are concerned about the lack of endorsement for
secp256k1 in this standard and have drafted a request for its addition.[2]
We would welcome any comments and/or support from this group and/or any of
its members (directly in the Google Doc linked below).  All comments are
welcome, including those arguing against this request :)

Thanks,

Dan Burnett
ConsenSys

[1]
https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2019/10/31/2019-23742/request-for-comments-on-fips-186-5-and-sp-800-186
[2]
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1wygRHPMGhhanDev7iZSn_AlXw6FZdTK-cIh4fXD77jk/edit#heading=h.1xljt59f35x5