Bitcoin Braces For Quantum Shock — Inside Two Radical New Rescue Plans

bitcoinistPublished on 2026-04-10Last updated on 2026-04-10

Abstract

The Bitcoin community is actively developing solutions to counter the future threat of quantum computers capable of breaking its current cryptography (ECDSA/Schnorr). Two primary proposals have emerged. The first, from Olaoluwa Osuntokun and Tim Ruffing, involves a "Taproot kill-switch" combined with a zk-STARK proof. This method would let users prove ownership of their coins from a vulnerable Taproot address without revealing their private keys, providing an escape hatch if a quantum-defense soft fork disables normal key-based spending. The second proposal, from Avihu Mordechai Levy, is called Quantum Safe Bitcoin (QSB). It uses Lamport-style one-time signatures and a new RIPEMD-160-based proof-of-work puzzle to make individual transactions quantum-safe today, without any changes to Bitcoin's base protocol. However, it is currently expensive and inefficient, costing hundreds of dollars per transaction. The debate has shifted from whether quantum is a threat to how to manage the migration. The community is split between solutions that aim to rescue the entire UTXO set and those who believe non-migrated coins should expire to preserve Bitcoin's monetary integrity.

Multiple devs and founders have been talking publicly about concrete post‐quantum paths for Bitcoin. Two different proposals have caught the crypto world’s attention.

Bitcoin’s Net-Watchers Start Building Their Blackwall

The ticking clock marking 2029 as the possible “deadline” for quantum computers to be able to break Bitcoin and Ethereum’s cryptography has made devs roll up their sleaves and get to work.

The recent spike of the Bitcoin quantum-panic or “quantum FUD” (fear, uncertainty and doubt) has moved on from the initial chaos that ensued following Google’s “doomsday” whitepaper to a race against an enemy that doesn’t yet exist. In the past days, two Bitcoin devs landed at different proposals aimed to protect Bitcoin from the future threat of quantum attacks.

One of them consists in a “Taproot kill‐switch + zk‐proof recovery” path for existing UTXOs (Unspent Transaction Outputs). The other is a QSB (Quantum Safe Bitcoin), a transaction‐level construction that makes individual spends quantum‐safe today without any soft fork (rule changes that stay compatible with old software).

Both approaches assume Shor‐style quantum computers (quantum computers based on Shor’s algorithm) will nuke the math behind Bitcoin’s current signatures (ECDSA/Schnorr), but they differ on how much of Bitcoin needs to change: consensus rules vs user‐level tooling.

Let’s examine both proposals closely.

Solution #1

The first solution comes from Olaoluwa Osuntokun, co‐founder and CTO of Lightning Labs (the main company building the Lightning Network implementation) and Tim Ruffing, co‐author and contributor on Schnorr/Taproot, multisignature schemes like MuSig2 and a maintainer of Bitcoin’s core elliptic‐curve library.

On a post made on the social media X on April 8, Osuntokun resurfaced Ruffing’s July 2025 whitepaper on Bitcoin’s post-quantum security in order to propose a solution for one of the problems presented in the paper: “to create a variant of seed-lifting that doesn’t reveal the wallet’s master secret”. He called this “zk-STARK proof”.

In plain language, Osuntokun’s tool creates a special cryptographic proof (the zk‐STARK) that lets you prove you really have the original wallet secret behind a given Taproot address, and that you used the standard wallet rules to get from that secret to this address. They crucial aspect of the zk-STARK proof is that it does this without ever revealing the secret itself, or any private keys, to anyone.

If, in the future, Bitcoin does a quantum‐defense soft fork that disables normal key‐based spends, many BIP‐86 Taproot wallets could be stuck and unable to move coins. With this proof, those users get an extra “escape hatch”: they can prove ownership of their Taproot coins via the seed‐derivation proof and move funds in a new, quantum‐safe way, even though the old key‐spend path is turned off.

He discussed all the technicalities behind this on the Bitcoin dev mailing list.

The solution has found acceptance, and it’s been generally received very well in the crypto community.

Solution #2

The second, and more polemic solution, comes from Avihu Mordechai Levy, a cryptography engineer at StarkWare who works on zero‐knowledge proofs and STARKs. His whitepaper, published yesterday, shows how to make individual Bitcoin transactions quantum‐safe today, using Lamport‐style one‐time signatures plus a “hash‐to‐signature” proof‐of‐work puzzle, with zero changes to Bitcoin’s base protocol.

QSB replaces the old signature‐size PoW (which quantum attacks could completely break by finding tiny ECDSA r‐values) with a RIPEMD‐160‐based puzzle that only relies on hash pre‐image resistance, which is merely weakened, not destroyed, by Grover’s algorithm (quantum tech).

Again in plain language, what QSB does is it throws away the old “make the signature tiny” proof‐of‐work trick, because a strong quantum computer could cheat that by exploiting the elliptic‐curve math. Instead, QSB uses a new puzzle built on the RIPEMD‐160 hash function. Breaking a hash like that is extremely hard, even with a quantum computer.

QSB fits in legacy script limits and gives around 118‐bit post‐quantum pre‐image security. However, it costs hundreds of dollars in off‐chain GPU work per transaction and requires non‐standard bare scripts mined via private relay services. This is why many are calling QSB a “last resort” or even a “whale-grade band-aid”.

A Philosophical Split

The community is no longer arguing if quantum breaks ECDSA/Schnorr, but how to stage an orderly migration. Let’s remember that the creator of Bitcoin, Satoshi Nakamoto himself, assured in 2010 that a gradual transition to post-quantum, stronger technology, was possible for Bitcoin.

A post from Satoshi Nakamoto regarding the quantum threat for Bitcoin. Source: Bitcoin Magazine on X.

Taproot‐based recovery tries to protect the entire UTXO set with minimal value destruction, whereas some prominent voices still argue non‐migrated coins should simply expire rather than be “rescue” in weird ways, to preserve Bitcoin’s monetary story.

At the moment of writing, BTC trades for the high $71ks on the daily chart. Source: BTCUSD on Tradingview.

Cover image from Perplexity. BTCUSD chart from Tradingview.

Related Questions

QWhat is the main threat that Bitcoin developers are preparing for with these new proposals?

ABitcoin developers are preparing for the threat of quantum computers, specifically Shor-style quantum computers that could break Bitcoin's current ECDSA/Schnorr signature cryptography, potentially by 2029.

QWho proposed the first solution involving a 'zk-STARK proof' and what is its primary function?

AThe first solution was proposed by Olaoluwa Osuntokun of Lightning Labs and Tim Ruffing. Its primary function is to create a zk-STARK proof that allows users to prove ownership of their Taproot coins without revealing their private keys, providing an 'escape hatch' to move funds if a quantum-defense soft fork disables normal key-based spends.

QWhat does the QSB (Quantum Safe Bitcoin) solution replace to achieve quantum safety, and what is a major drawback of this approach?

AThe QSB solution replaces the old signature-size proof-of-work with a new RIPEMD-160-based hash pre-image puzzle. A major drawback is that it is extremely inefficient, costing hundreds of dollars in off-chain GPU work per transaction and requiring non-standard bare scripts mined via private relay services.

QAccording to the article, what did Bitcoin creator Satoshi Nakamoto say about the quantum threat in 2010?

AIn 2010, Satoshi Nakamoto assured that a gradual transition to post-quantum, stronger technology was possible for Bitcoin.

QWhat is the key philosophical difference between the two proposed solutions for Bitcoin's quantum resistance?

AThe key philosophical difference is in how much of Bitcoin needs to change. The Taproot-based recovery solution aims to protect the entire UTXO set with minimal value destruction through a potential soft fork (consensus rule changes), while the QSB solution is a transaction-level construction that makes individual spends quantum-safe today without any changes to Bitcoin's base protocol (user-level tooling).

Related Reads

TechFlow Intelligence Agency: Anthropic Calls for Global Pause in AI Development While Preparing for Trillion-Dollar IPO; SpaceX IPO Roadshow Heats Up, But S&P 500 Rejects Fast-Track Inclusion

In today's TechFlow Intelligence Briefing, several major tech stories highlight a growing theme of trust and credibility gaps across AI, crypto, and finance. AI company Anthropic has publicly called for a global pause in AI development, citing risks from Claude's "recursive self-improvement." Ironically, this coincides with reports the company is preparing for a massive IPO targeting a near $1 trillion valuation. This perceived hypocrisy, coupled with widespread user complaints about Claude's declining performance, is sparking debate over whether the safety warning is genuine or a competitive tactic. Meanwhile, in a substantive security move, Anthropic open-sourced a framework for AI-powered vulnerability discovery. In the crypto market, Bitcoin's price drop below $61,000 triggered over $1.16 billion in liquidations, flipping the market into a state where more BTC is held at a loss than at a profit, a historical bearish signal. On the corporate front, SpaceX's highly anticipated IPO is generating immense Wall Street excitement, with Goldman Sachs projecting 100x revenue growth by 2030. However, the S&P 500 has refused to fast-track the company's inclusion post-IPO, potentially limiting immediate institutional demand. Separately, ByteDance's AI app Doubao lost over 6 million monthly active users after introducing a subscription model, highlighting the challenges of AI monetization. Other notable developments include Nvidia certifying HBM4 memory from Samsung, SK Hynix, and Micron; Cloudflare's acquisition of front-end tooling company VoidZero; and its CEO warning that bot traffic now exceeds human traffic online. The underlying narrative connects these events: a trust crisis. From AI firms' contradictory actions and crypto volatility to the clash between SpaceX's hyped narrative and institutional rules, a pattern is emerging where stated intentions and actual practices are increasingly misaligned.

marsbit10m ago

TechFlow Intelligence Agency: Anthropic Calls for Global Pause in AI Development While Preparing for Trillion-Dollar IPO; SpaceX IPO Roadshow Heats Up, But S&P 500 Rejects Fast-Track Inclusion

marsbit10m ago

Dalio Warns: AI Boom Shows Signs of a Bubble, Day of Reckoning Will Be the Time of Burst

Ray Dalio, founder of Bridgewater Associates, warns that the current artificial intelligence investment boom shows classic signs of a bubble, which he expects will eventually burst. In a Bloomberg Television interview, he noted that great technological revolutions often lead to capital inflows that create bubbles, making it difficult for investors and companies to calibrate their spending accurately—either overspending to capture market share or underspending and losing their competitive position. This caution comes amid significant rallies in AI-related assets, particularly chipmakers, driven by soaring demand for data centers and high-bandwidth chips, raising debates about overheating valuations. In contrast, Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently asserted that investors embracing the AI wave would see "crazy" returns and dismissed concerns over return on investment for data center spending as outdated. Dalio, however, focuses on the risks in the profit realization phase. He argues that bubbles tend to show signs of破裂 when markets transition from investment to the need for tangible returns, describing the burst as a process of converting paper wealth into cash. While acknowledging AI's intrinsic value, he expressed concern over the future profitability of some AI companies, suggesting the market is repeating a familiar pattern. The 76-year-old billionaire, who fully exited Bridgewater in 2025, has a net worth estimated at $21.5 billion according to the Bloomberg Billionaires Index.

marsbit44m ago

Dalio Warns: AI Boom Shows Signs of a Bubble, Day of Reckoning Will Be the Time of Burst

marsbit44m ago

Privacy Coin Crisis of Confidence! ZEC Plunges Over 56% in a Single Day

Zcash (ZEC), a leading privacy-focused cryptocurrency, experienced a severe crash on June 5th, plummeting over 56% in a single day and erasing nearly two months of gains. The flash crash was triggered by the disclosure of a critical zero-knowledge proof vulnerability within Zcash's Orchard privacy pool, which had existed since the pool's launch in May 2022. The flaw theoretically allowed an attacker to forge unlimited ZEC undetectably due to the pool's privacy features. The vulnerability was discovered on May 29th by independent security researcher Taylor Hornby during a proactive audit commissioned by Shielded Labs, utilizing AI-assisted analysis. The Zcash development team responded swiftly, implementing an emergency soft fork to disable Orchard transactions on June 2nd and executing a permanent hard fork fix (NU6.2) on June 3rd. Despite the technical fix, a major crisis of confidence emerged. The core issue is that Orchard's privacy design makes it cryptographically impossible to prove whether the vulnerability was exploited over the past four years, casting permanent doubt on the historical supply integrity of ZEC. While Shielded Labs argues exploitation was unlikely, the inability to provide definitive proof has severely damaged market trust. This sentiment was exacerbated when BitMEX co-founder Arthur Hayes, a prominent ZEC supporter, announced he was selling his entire position. He stated that privacy assets require "perfect security" rather than "probable safety." The combined effect of the disclosure and Hayes's exit ignited widespread panic selling, leading to massive liquidations and significant price decline. Analysts note the event highlights a fundamental tension within privacy coins: the conflict between verifiable supply and cryptographic privacy.

链捕手47m ago

Privacy Coin Crisis of Confidence! ZEC Plunges Over 56% in a Single Day

链捕手47m ago

Bitcoin Demand Falls At Fastest Pace Since LUNA Collapse: Data

On-chain data indicates that Bitcoin's total demand has sharply declined over the past month, contracting at its fastest rate since the collapse of the Terra/LUNA ecosystem in May 2022. This "demand" metric, tracking the combined flow of Bitcoin into spot and derivatives markets, has recently plummeted to a 30-day negative change of 501,000 BTC. Analysts note the recent price surge in April and early May was driven solely by speculative futures demand, while spot demand contracted—a pattern historically unsustainable for rallies. With both spot and futures demand now shrinking, the pace of contraction echoes the post-LUNA collapse period. Concurrently, Bitcoin's price has dropped to around $63,200, its lowest level since February.

bitcoinist1h ago

Bitcoin Demand Falls At Fastest Pace Since LUNA Collapse: Data

bitcoinist1h ago

Bitcoin Falls To $61,300 As Mt. Gox Moves BTC, Raising Selloff Concerns

Bitcoin fell to around $61,300 as markets reacted to Mt. Gox moving funds, raising selloff concerns. The defunct exchange transferred 116.3 BTC (worth ~$8.16 million) directly to Bitstamp, following a larger earlier move of 10,422.65 BTC (~$739 million) to a new wallet. The trustee is working towards the final creditor repayment deadline of October 31, 2026. While most eligible creditors have been repaid, roughly 24,081 BTC (~$1.55 billion) remains under Mt. Gox control, and its on-chain movements are closely watched for potential market pressure. Bitcoin later recovered above $64,000.

bitcoinist1h ago

Bitcoin Falls To $61,300 As Mt. Gox Moves BTC, Raising Selloff Concerns

bitcoinist1h ago

Trading

Spot
Futures

Hot Articles

What is $BITCOIN

DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): A Comprehensive Analysis Introduction to DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a blockchain-based project operating on the Solana network, which aims to combine the characteristics of traditional precious metals with the innovation of decentralized technologies. While it shares a name with Bitcoin, often referred to as “digital gold” due to its perception as a store of value, DIGITAL GOLD is a separate token designed to create a unique ecosystem within the Web3 landscape. Its goal is to position itself as a viable alternative digital asset, although specifics regarding its applications and functionalities are still developing. What is DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) is a cryptocurrency token explicitly designed for use on the Solana blockchain. In contrast to Bitcoin, which provides a widely recognized value storage role, this token appears to focus on broader applications and characteristics. Notable aspects include: Blockchain Infrastructure: The token is built on the Solana blockchain, known for its capacity to handle high-speed and low-cost transactions. Supply Dynamics: DIGITAL GOLD has a maximum supply capped at 100 quadrillion tokens (100P $BITCOIN), although details regarding its circulating supply are currently undisclosed. Utility: While precise functionalities are not explicitly outlined, there are indications that the token could be utilized for various applications, potentially involving decentralized applications (dApps) or asset tokenization strategies. Who is the Creator of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? At present, the identity of the creators and development team behind DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) remains unknown. This situation is typical among many innovative projects within the blockchain space, particularly those aligning with decentralized finance and meme coin phenomena. While such anonymity may foster a community-driven culture, it intensifies concerns about governance and accountability. Who are the Investors of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN)? The available information indicates that DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) does not have any known institutional backers or prominent venture capital investments. The project seems to operate on a peer-to-peer model focused on community support and adoption rather than traditional funding routes. Its activity and liquidity are primarily situated on decentralized exchanges (DEXs), such as PumpSwap, rather than established centralized trading platforms, further highlighting its grassroots approach. How DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) Works The operational mechanics of DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) can be elaborated on based on its blockchain design and network attributes: Consensus Mechanism: By leveraging Solana’s unique proof-of-history (PoH) combined with a proof-of-stake (PoS) model, the project ensures efficient transaction validation contributing to the network's high performance. Tokenomics: While specific deflationary mechanisms have not been extensively detailed, the vast maximum token supply implies that it may cater to microtransactions or niche use cases that are still to be defined. Interoperability: There exists the potential for integration with Solana’s broader ecosystem, including various decentralized finance (DeFi) platforms. However, the details regarding specific integrations remain unspecified. Timeline of Key Events Here is a timeline that highlights significant milestones concerning DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN): 2023: The initial deployment of the token occurs on the Solana blockchain, marked by its contract address. 2024: DIGITAL GOLD gains visibility as it becomes available for trading on decentralized exchanges like PumpSwap, allowing users to trade it against SOL. 2025: The project witnesses sporadic trading activity and potential interest in community-led engagements, although no noteworthy partnerships or technical advancements have been documented as of yet. Critical Analysis Strengths Scalability: The underlying Solana infrastructure supports high transaction volumes, which could enhance the utility of $BITCOIN in various transaction scenarios. Accessibility: The potential low trading price per token could attract retail investors, facilitating wider participation due to fractional ownership opportunities. Risks Lack of Transparency: The absence of publicly known backers, developers, or an audit process may yield skepticism regarding the project's sustainability and trustworthiness. Market Volatility: The trading activity is heavily reliant on speculative behavior, which can result in significant price volatility and uncertainty for investors. Conclusion DIGITAL GOLD ($BITCOIN) emerges as an intriguing yet ambiguous project within the rapidly evolving Solana ecosystem. While it attempts to leverage the “digital gold” narrative, its departure from Bitcoin's established role as a store of value underscores the need for a clearer differentiation of its intended utility and governance structure. Future acceptance and adoption will likely depend on addressing the current opacity and defining its operational and economic strategies more explicitly. Note: This report encompasses synthesised information available as of October 2023, and developments may have transpired beyond the research period.

363 Total ViewsPublished 2025.05.13Updated 2025.05.13

What is $BITCOIN

Discussions

Welcome to the HTX Community. Here, you can stay informed about the latest platform developments and gain access to professional market insights. Users' opinions on the price of BTC (BTC) are presented below.

活动图片

Top Questions