to leave a comment.
▲ Bitcoin (BTC), Quantum Computer, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Cryptocurrency Security/ChatGPT Generated Image
A groundbreaking technical alternative that can block quantum computer attacks without a network upgrade has been proposed, attracting significant industry attention.
According to a report by cryptocurrency media outlet Cointelegraph, on April 10 (local time), Avihu Levy, Chief Product Officer of Israeli blockchain technology company StarkWare, proposed a Quantum-Safe Bitcoin (QSB) transaction method that can ensure quantum security without modifying the Bitcoin (BTC) protocol. Levy emphasized that this proposal "can maintain security even against attackers with large-scale quantum computers running Shor's algorithm." The core of this research is that it operates perfectly within existing script constraints without core rule modifications such as a soft fork.
The principle of the QSB method is based on a technology that replaces the existing signature verification method with a hash-to-sig puzzle. Instead of elliptic curve mathematical models that quantum computers can easily break, this method induces the sender to repeatedly perform computations until a specific hash result matches a valid Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA) signature. This structure prevents quantum computers from shortening the computation process, thereby providing strong quantum resistance to the Bitcoin network.
Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO of StarkWare, described the research achievement as "a very important development, meaning that Bitcoin can be safe from quantum computers today." While the Bitcoin community has been debating long-term upgrade directions to counter quantum threats, QSB has presented a practical, immediately applicable alternative. This is considered a very practical approach given Bitcoin's unique characteristics, where the social consensus process for protocol modifications is complex and time-consuming.
However, due to high computational costs and technical complexity, the QSB method is expected to be used as a specialized tool for protecting large-scale assets rather than for everyday small transactions. According to Levy's analysis, a sender would have to pay $75-$150 in GPU computation costs for a single transaction. Furthermore, there is a limitation that the data structure is more complex than typical Bitcoin transactions, which may cause some delay in processing speed. Nevertheless, for whale investors for whom security is paramount, the value of asset protection far outweighs the cost, making it a sufficiently viable option for adoption.
Amid varying predictions regarding the commercialization timeline of quantum computers, this research has demonstrated that the Bitcoin ecosystem can flexibly respond to external threats through technological advancement. While a post-quantum cryptography upgrade for the entire Bitcoin network will be necessary in the long run, innovative proposals like QSB are expected to serve as a strong shield during the transitional phase. The virtual asset market is expected to allay security concerns and further enhance its credibility as digital gold.
*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. This content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*
Newsletter
Get key news delivered to your email every morning
to leave a comment.