"Also blocks quantum hacking"...Bitcoin secures a 'security innovation' breakthrough without upgrades

▲ Bitcoin (BTC)

Bitcoin (BTC) is reaching a new turning point in asset security by securing a technical solution that can counter the hacking threats of quantum computers without a separate network upgrade.

According to the cryptocurrency specialized media Decrypt on April 12 (local time), Avihu Levy, Chief Product Officer of StarkWare, proposed a 'Quantum Safe Bitcoin (QSB)' solution that can be implemented within the existing Bitcoin protocol without a soft fork. This method is drawing attention as a new structure that enables quantum-resistant transactions without changing the existing system.

Currently, Bitcoin verifies transactions based on the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA). However, concerns have been continuously raised that this signature scheme could be rendered ineffective if large-scale quantum computers utilizing Shor's algorithm emerge in the future.

QSB applies hash-based cryptographic technology instead of the existing signature method to complement these vulnerabilities. Users must solve a 'hash-based puzzle' by repeatedly finding random inputs until a specific hash value satisfies valid signature conditions. Hash functions are difficult for quantum computers to efficiently perform shortcut calculations, thus significantly strengthening security, according to the explanation.

However, there are clear limitations in terms of practicality. Generating a QSB transaction requires billions of hash operations, and high-performance GPU resources are needed to process them. When utilizing a cloud environment, the cost per transaction is estimated to be around $75 to $150. This is higher than typical transaction fees and is considered more suitable for large-scale asset transfers rather than small payments.

Furthermore, QSB only applies to newly generated outputs, and its compatibility with Layer 2 solutions such as the Lightning Network is limited. The transaction structure is also complex and non-standard, leading to calls for additional technical verification before full commercialization.

Nevertheless, it is considered highly significant as a defense mechanism that can be applied immediately without a soft fork requiring network consensus. This is interpreted as a realistic countermeasure against the era of quantum computers and an example demonstrating the technical flexibility of the Bitcoin network.

The industry expects QSB to be utilized as a short-term complementary measure and a last line of defense, while also pursuing discussions for more fundamental protocol upgrades in the long term. This technical proposal is evaluated as a signal that alleviates market anxiety about quantum threats and demonstrates that Bitcoin's security system can evolve.

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