Key Insights:
- Bitcoin news confirms its first BTC quantum-safe transaction in block 964,199.
- QSB used hash-based protection without changing Bitcoin’s consensus rules.
- QSB transactions may cost $150–$200 and require hours of GPU computing.
Bitcoin reporting shifted toward quantum security following the confirmation of the network’s first known quantum-safe transaction on the mainnet on August 26. StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy engineered the Quantum Safe Bitcoin approach, known as QSB, and trialed it on the live network.
MARA processed the transaction via its proprietary Slipstream service, thereby circumventing any modifications to Bitcoin’s baseline consensus rules. The test featured a 10,000-satoshi output and successfully cleared in Bitcoin block 964,199.
Quantum Safe Bitcoin Targets the Public-Key Exposure Window
Bitcoins secured behind a hashed P2PKH address keep the public key concealed until the owner initiates a spend. The vulnerability emerges post-broadcast, during the interval when a transaction exposes that public key before miners successfully include it in a block.
That period of exposure typically lasts roughly ten minutes, creating the precise vulnerability window that QSB was created to mitigate. In theory, a sufficiently advanced quantum computer could calculate the private key throughout that timeframe and hijack the funds.
Levy initially published his findings regarding QSB in April 2026, building the framework upon an altered Binohash architecture. The structure encloses every transaction within a proof-of-work puzzle grounded in hash functions rather than relying solely on an exposed signature.
Levy calculated that the strategy delivers approximately 118 bits of security when evaluated against Shor’s algorithm. He pegged its effective security at roughly half that strength when facing Grover’s algorithm.
Because the framework stays within current Bitcoin script limitations, it bypasses the need for a soft fork. Even so, the transaction layout remains non-standard, meaning standard Bitcoin software declines to relay it.
Consequently, StarkWare routed the transaction straight to MARA utilizing Slipstream for block integration. Alongside wider crypto developments, MARA Foundation head Isabel Foxen Duke characterized this pathway as an interim measure rather than an enduring private-mempool fix.
Bitcoin News Test Uses Hash-Based Protection Without Consensus Changes
This milestone relied on hash-based security measures, whereas standard Bitcoin transactions continue to employ elliptic curve cryptography. QSB utilizes one-time Lamport signatures alongside hash functions to minimize reliance on signatures exposed during transaction broadcasting.
As a result, the transaction verified a quantum-resistant spending mechanism operating strictly under established Bitcoin protocols. It additionally demonstrated that miners can validate this unconventional script provided they receive it directly.
StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson noted that the transaction offers users a viable alternative ahead of any permanent network overhaul. He reiterated his preference for Bitcoin eventually implementing a soft fork to secure long-term quantum defense. His remarks kept the mainnet test distinct from any assertion that QSB serves as a substitute for a protocol-level remedy.
Cost and Transaction Size Limit QSB’s Practical Use
Despite requiring no shifts in network consensus, the methodology demands substantial computational power. StarkWare noted that generating the proof can take hours of processing across multiple high-performance graphics cards. Projected expenses sit between $150 and $200 for a single QSB transaction, aligning with Levy’s earlier assessment pointing to extra GPU costs totaling a few hundred dollars.
Furthermore, the transaction size exceeds a standard Bitcoin transfer, restricting its viability for widespread deployment. Broader adoption under the current design could swell network data demands and drive up transaction fees.
For cryptocurrency users, this mainnet demonstration proves the concept functions, though the associated costs remain substantial. Coverage of the trial therefore highlights present-day feasibility, while developers continue to advocate for a future network upgrade.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a quantum-safe Bitcoin transaction?
It is a transaction secured against quantum computing threats using hash-based protection and one-time Lamport signatures instead of standard exposed public keys.
Did this transaction change Bitcoin’s consensus rules?
No, the test transaction was completed without altering Bitcoin’s existing consensus rules.
How much does a QSB transaction cost?
A QSB transaction can cost between $150 and $200 and requires hours of high-end GPU computing.
Who mined the first quantum-safe Bitcoin transaction?
MARA mined the transaction through its private Slipstream service after receiving it directly from StarkWare.
