StarkWare Executes First Quantum-Resistant Bitcoin Transaction on Mainnet
StarkWare has executed the first quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction on mainnet, using a method that reaches roughly 118 bits of security against quantum attack. The company says this is a live Bitcoin transaction secured against quantum attack without any change to the protocol.
The method takes hours of computation per transfer, and mining firm MARA processed the transaction because ordinary nodes refuse to relay the non-standard format. The transaction moved funds that would have been vulnerable to a future quantum attack into a state where such an attack could not reach them.
Avihu Levy, StarkWare's chief product officer, designed the scheme and published it in April under the name Quantum Safe Bitcoin. The result sits on the Bitcoin blockchain and is open to public inspection.