# Researchers Propose Quantum-Safe Bitcoin Transaction Method

**Published:** 2026-06-12T22:41:32.155Z  
**Topic:** Starknet  
**Sentiment:** neutral  
**Publisher:** TrendWatcher — https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/7c00e03d-7b0e-4283-b495-6882bc680018

A new proposal allows individual Bitcoin users to secure transactions against quantum threats without a protocol upgrade, though network-wide risks remain.

A new proposal from StarkWare’s chief product officer, Avihu Levy, introduces a method called Quantum Safe Bitcoin (QSB) that enables users to conduct transactions resistant to quantum computing attacks without requiring changes to the underlying Bitcoin protocol [1]. While the scheme offers a way for individual holders to secure their assets, it does not address the broader challenge of migrating the entire decentralized network to a post-quantum standard [1].

**Key takeaways**
* The QSB scheme replaces standard elliptic curve signatures with hash-based puzzles that are resistant to Shor’s algorithm [1].
* Each QSB transaction carries an estimated cost of $75 to $150 in GPU compute, making it a tool for large balances rather than everyday use [1].
* Blockstream CEO Adam Back suggests that quantum computers capable of breaking Bitcoin’s encryption are likely decades away [2].
* Researchers estimate that millions of BTC in older, exposed address types could be vulnerable to future quantum exploitation [1].
* Bitcoin lacks a central authority to mandate a network-wide migration, complicating the transition to quantum-resistant standards [1].

## Addressing the Quantum Gap for Individual Holders
The QSB proposal functions within Bitcoin’s existing legacy script framework, providing a contingency option for institutions and large holders who wish to protect their funds against future quantum threats [1]. By utilizing hash-based signature puzzles, the method bypasses the need for a contentious, network-wide protocol upgrade [1]. However, the high computational cost of these transactions means the solution is intended as a last-resort mechanism rather than a scalable replacement for standard Bitcoin activity [1].

While the cryptographic component of the transition is technically feasible, the governance of the network remains a significant hurdle [1]. Bitcoin’s decentralized nature means that any migration of hundreds of millions of addresses would require extensive coordination among miners, exchanges, and node operators [1]. Furthermore, there is no consensus on how to handle the approximately 1.7 million BTC held in early pay-to-public-key addresses, which are already exposed on-chain and could be vulnerable to quantum decryption [1].

## Perspectives on the Quantum Timeline
Industry experts remain divided on the urgency of these threats. While some researchers point to revised estimates from Google Quantum AI suggesting that the number of qubits required to break Bitcoin’s encryption has dropped significantly, others maintain a more cautious outlook [1]. Blockstream CEO Adam Back has argued that quantum hardware remains in an early, experimental phase, noting that current machines are far from the capability required to compromise real-world encryption [2]. 

Back advocates for a gradual, prepared migration toward quantum-resistant signature schemes, noting that his team is already testing such approaches on the Liquid network [2]. Despite these efforts, the fundamental challenge remains the same: the network must eventually decide how to manage dormant or lost coins without compromising the principle of credible neutrality that defines Bitcoin [1].

## Why it matters
The debate over quantum resilience highlights the tension between Bitcoin’s rigid governance and the external pressures of technological advancement [1]. Unlike previous scaling disputes, the timeline for quantum readiness is dictated by developments in physics and computing rather than internal consensus [1]. Whether the network can successfully coordinate a transition to new cryptographic standards will test the limits of decentralized governance, as the community must eventually address the vulnerable coins that cannot move on their own [1].

## Sources
1. Observer — [Quantum Computing Is Testing Bitcoin’s Most Important Assumption](https://observer.com/2026/05/bitcoin-quantum-computing-governance-problem/)
2. Bitcoin Magazine — [Adam Back Says Quantum Threat to Bitcoin Is Decades Away, Urges Gradual Migration to Post-Quantum Security](https://bitcoinmagazine.com/news/adam-back-says-quantum-threat-to-bitcoin)

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Cite as: TrendWatcher, "Researchers Propose Quantum-Safe Bitcoin Transaction Method", https://www.trendwatcher.in/article/7c00e03d-7b0e-4283-b495-6882bc680018