StarkWare verifies a quantum-safe locking scheme on Bitcoin mainnet, but it is not yet suitable for large-scale use

AT A GLANCE

StarkWare stated that it had verified on Bitcoin mainnet a QSB quantum-safe locking mechanism, but that it is currently unsuitable for large-scale use.

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StarkWare implements a quantum-safe locking scheme on Bitcoin mainnet, without a hard fork, but it is not yet suitable for large-scale use

BlockBeats reports that October 9, Starknet published an introduction to a quantum-safe Bitcoin scheme (QSB), stating that StarkWare researchers have verified on Bitcoin mainnet a quantum-safe locking mechanism that requires neither a soft fork nor new opcodes or changes to the consensus rules. The first QSB output was August 26, 2026 spent in Bitcoin mainnet block 964,199, and the related GPU computation cost has fallen from approximately 320 USD to approximately 50 USD.

The scheme was designed by StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy. Its core idea is to use hash computation to construct a locking mechanism, avoiding reliance on elliptic-curve private keys that could be cracked by quantum computers. However,QSB does not mean that Bitcoin has achieved comprehensive quantum safety: every transaction requires substantial computation, and transferring existing assets into the scheme still requires traditional transactions that carry quantum risk. In addition,QSB transactions do not comply with Bitcoin Core's default relay rules and must be submitted through miners willing to accept the transactions directly. There are also currently no supporting wallets, address formats, or recovery procedures.

StarkWare emphasized that QSB is an emergency research scheme, not a replacement for a quantum-safe upgrade to Bitcoin. The long-term solution still requires introducing post-quantum signatures through a soft fork. By contrast, Starknet stated that its underlying STARK proofs have used hash-based security mechanisms since their design and that it has established a quantum migration roadmap. However, as an Ethereum Layer 2, its comprehensive implementation of quantum safety still depends on the progress of upgrades to Ethereum's underlying layer.

On Token2049, StarkWare CEO Eli Ben-Sasson also raised an open question: should Starknet become a Layer 1 so that it can independently advance post-quantum security upgrades without having to wait entirely for Ethereum's upgrade schedule? This proposal has not yet become a formal decision.

Original link https://m.theblockbeats.info/flash/371060

Key points

BlockBeats reported that Starknet published an article on October 9 a quantum-safe Bitcoin scheme QSB。
Starknet stated that StarkWare researchers had verified on Bitcoin mainnet a quantum-safe locking mechanism requiring no soft fork, new opcodes, or changes to the consensus rules.
The first QSB output was August 26, 2026 spent in Bitcoin mainnet block 964,199.
The related GPU computation cost fell from approximately 320 USD to approximately 50 USD。
The scheme was designed by StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy and uses hash computation to construct a locking mechanism.
QSB Every transaction requires substantial computation, and transferring existing assets into the scheme still requires traditional transactions that carry quantum risk.
QSB transactions do not comply with Bitcoin Core's default relay rules and must be submitted through miners willing to accept the transactions directly.
QSB There are currently no supporting wallets, address formats, or recovery procedures.
StarkWare stated that QSB is an emergency research scheme, while the long-term solution still requires introducing post-quantum signatures through a soft fork.
Starknet stated that its comprehensive implementation of quantum safety still depends on the progress of upgrades to Ethereum's underlying layer.
Eli Ben-Sasson raised the open question of whether Starknet should become a Layer 1, a proposal that has not yet become a formal decision.

AI-assisted interpretation

The following is analysis, separate from reported facts. Verify important claims independently.

QSB Attempts to lock and spend Bitcoin using hash-based computation, thereby avoiding reliance on elliptic-curve private keys that may be threatened by quantum computing. The material claims that it has completed a verification on the Bitcoin mainnet, but significant limitations remain regarding operating costs, transaction relay methods, and user tools, making it more of an emergency research proposal than a product ordinary users can adopt now.

Why it matters to readers

This verification shows that approaches to quantum risk can be studied without immediately modifying Bitcoin's consensus rules; however, it has not given Bitcoin comprehensive quantum resistance, and the long-term solution is still described as requiring the introduction of post-quantum signatures through a soft fork.

Ordinary users currently have no supporting wallet, address format, or recovery process available, and should not interpret this news as meaning that Bitcoin is already fully protected against quantum-computing attacks. It is worth continuing to monitor wallet and miner support, as well as whether a post-quantum signature soft fork moves forward.

Risks and unknowns

The material was relayed by BlockBeats from a Starknet introduction and provides no original technical materials for independent verification.
QSB Its security, mainnet stability, and ability to achieve broad adoption still cannot be confirmed from the available material.

StarkWare verifies a quantum-safe locking scheme on Bitcoin mainnet, but it is not yet suitable for large-scale use

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