A new proposal suggests Bitcoin transactions can be made quantum resistant today without changing the network, though it comes with significant cost and complexity.
Key Takeaways
- New Quantum Safe Bitcoin scheme works without any protocol upgrade or soft fork.
- Uses hash based cryptography instead of traditional signatures.
- Transaction costs could range between $75 and $200 due to heavy computation.
- Positioned as a temporary solution while long term upgrades are still under discussion.
What Happened?
A researcher from StarkWare, Avihu Mordechai Levy, introduced a new method called Quantum Safe Bitcoin (QSB) that allows users to create quantum resistant transactions on the current Bitcoin network. The proposal works within existing rules and avoids the need for a soft fork or consensus changes.
The method shifts Bitcoin’s security model away from traditional signature schemes toward hash based cryptographic proofs, which are considered more resilient against future quantum attacks.
⚡️BIG: Crypto just went from quantum panic → real solutions in days.@StarkWareLtd has introduced Quantum Safe Bitcoin (QSB) — a way to make Bitcoin transactions resistant to future quantum attacks right now, without any network upgrade.
— The Crypto Times (@CryptoTimes_io) April 10, 2026
Here’s what’s happening 👇
Just weeks… pic.twitter.com/dVineYmzqP
A New Approach to Bitcoin Security
Bitcoin currently relies on ECDSA and Schnorr signatures, which are secure against classical computers but could be broken by quantum systems using algorithms like Shor’s algorithm. If that happens, attackers could potentially derive private keys and steal funds.
The QSB proposal introduces a hash based system combined with Lamport signatures, which are known to be resistant to quantum attacks. Instead of relying on signatures alone, the system creates a structure where a valid transaction must satisfy a complex hash puzzle.
This design ensures that even if quantum computers advance, the underlying security assumptions remain intact. The method achieves strong resistance levels, roughly comparable to modern high security standards, while still operating within Bitcoin’s current scripting limitations.
No Soft Fork Required
One of the most notable aspects of the proposal is that it works entirely within Bitcoin’s existing framework. It does not require a soft fork, miner signaling, or any network wide upgrade.
This stands in contrast to proposals like BIP 360, which aim to introduce quantum resistant signatures at the protocol level but could take years to implement due to Bitcoin’s slow governance process.
By staying within current rules, QSB offers an immediate fallback option in case quantum threats materialize sooner than expected.
Heavy Computation Shifts to Users
The tradeoff for this flexibility is a significant increase in computational demand. Instead of relying on the network, the burden shifts to the user creating the transaction.
- Users must perform billions of hash attempts to generate a valid transaction.
- The process requires GPU based computation, often outsourced to external hardware.
- Estimated cost per transaction ranges from $75 to $200.
This effectively introduces a form of proof of work at the transaction level, where each payment requires substantial computational effort before it can be broadcast.
The system also allows separation of sensitive and computational tasks. Users can generate secure keys on trusted devices while outsourcing the heavy computation to external GPU clusters, then verify results locally before submission.
Practical Limitations and Tradeoffs
Despite its innovation, the proposal comes with several limitations that restrict its practical use.
- Transactions are non standard and may not propagate through the network normally.
- Users may need to submit transactions directly to miners.
- The system is not compatible with the Lightning Network.
- It introduces significant complexity for everyday users.
Additionally, the method does not protect older Bitcoin addresses, particularly early pay to public key wallets that are already exposed to quantum risks.
These factors make QSB unsuitable for daily transactions and position it as a niche solution for specific scenarios.
A Transitional Solution, Not the Final Answer
Levy describes QSB as a last resort measure rather than a permanent replacement for Bitcoin’s current cryptography. It serves as a bridge between today’s system and a future where quantum safe standards are fully integrated into the protocol.
The proposal has also fueled broader discussions about Bitcoin’s long term security. Research from Google and others has highlighted the possibility of faster quantum advancements, increasing urgency around the issue.
Developers continue to explore more scalable solutions, including new signature schemes and recovery mechanisms that could eventually be deployed through protocol upgrades.
CoinLaw’s Takeaway
I found this proposal fascinating because it shows how flexible Bitcoin’s design really is, even without changing its core rules. In my experience, solutions that work within existing systems often reveal hidden strengths that many overlook.
That said, I do not see this becoming practical for everyday use. Paying up to $200 for a single transaction is simply not viable for most users. Still, as an emergency backup plan, this approach could be incredibly valuable if quantum threats arrive sooner than expected.
To me, this feels like a safety net rather than a long term fix. The real future of quantum safe Bitcoin will likely depend on proper protocol upgrades, even if they take years to arrive.
