Key facts
- The first post-quantum resistant Bitcoin transaction was successfully mined.
- The transaction was facilitated by the Starknet Foundation.
- The method used does not require soft forks, hard forks, or core protocol upgrades.
- The technique involves "signature grinding" to create a transaction that is computationally expensive and avoids exposing vulnerable cryptographic material.
- MARA's Slipstream service mined the transaction, as it uses a non-standard format.
The first Bitcoin transaction designed to be resistant to quantum computing attacks has been successfully mined, according to the Starknet Foundation. This development addresses growing concerns within the financial industry about the potential threat quantum computers pose to current cryptographic security.
The transaction, demonstrated by Damian Chen, VP of growth at the Starknet Foundation, utilized a novel method developed by StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy. This technique, dubbed "signature grinding," involves generating millions of signature candidates until one is found with specific structural properties that do not expose vulnerable cryptographic material while the transaction waits in the public queue for confirmation. This process is computationally intensive, taking hours per transaction, which makes it resistant to quantum shortcuts.