Bitcoin Mines First Quantum-Safe Transaction Using Hash-Based Protection

Bitcoin's first quantum-safe transaction has been mined on its mainnet. The transaction was made possible by StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy's Quantum Safe Bitcoin method, known as QSB, which uses hash-based protection to prevent public key exposure.

The test transaction used a modified Binohash construction and wrapped each transaction in a proof-of-work puzzle secured by hash functions. This approach provides an estimated 118 bits of security under Shor's algorithm and roughly half that level under Grover's algorithm.

MARA mined the transaction through its private Slipstream service, which avoids any changes to Bitcoin's existing consensus rules. The method carries high computing demands, requiring hours of GPU work and estimated costs ranging from $150 to $200 per transaction.