Daily News 19

Tag: Post-quantum cryptography

  • AI Coding Slashes Quantum-Safe Bitcoin Transaction Cost Estimate from $320 to $66 in One Week

    AI Coding Slashes Quantum-Safe Bitcoin Transaction Cost Estimate from $320 to $66 in One Week

    Key Highlights

    • StarkWare has demonstrated a quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction method that operates within current protocol rules, requiring no soft fork or network upgrade.
    • The approach uses hash-based cryptography to protect against quantum computers deriving private keys from exposed public keys, but costs approximately $320 in computing per transaction under current implementation.
    • Significant limitations remain: transactions must be submitted directly to miners, and the method cannot protect coins whose public keys are already exposed — the primary target for any quantum attacker.

    StarkWare Unveils Quantum-Resistant Bitcoin Transaction Method Without Protocol Changes

    Israeli blockchain scaling firm StarkWare has published research demonstrating a method to execute quantum-resistant transactions on Bitcoin without requiring a soft fork or any modification to the network’s consensus rules. The technique leverages hash-based cryptographic commitments — specifically leveraging the collision resistance of SHA-256 — to shield coins from a future scenario in which a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could derive a private key from an exposed public key using Shor’s algorithm.

    Because the construction fits entirely within Bitcoin’s existing script and transaction validity rules, it can be deployed immediately as an emergency mitigation if the quantum threat materializes before the broader ecosystem adopts a more comprehensive, protocol-level upgrade such as BIP-360 or similar proposals for post-quantum signature schemes. However, the current implementation carries a steep computational price tag: approximately $320 of computing resources per transaction, according to the cost breakdown published by StarkWare.

    Cost Claims and Independent Verification

    A third-party contest site associated with the research cites a lower figure of $66 per transaction, but this number remains an estimate drawn from a test computation and has not been validated by a subsequent transaction actually mined on the Bitcoin mainnet. The improved code referenced by the contest site has not been shown preparing another transaction that was successfully included in a block. Applying the speedups displayed on the contest site to StarkWare’s original $320 cost breakdown yields an estimated $83 per transaction, according to calculations performed by CoinDesk. The contest site states that later record-setting runs surpass those measurements, though it does not disclose which specific results underpin the $66 estimate.

    Operational Constraints Limit Practical Deployment

    Beyond cost, the method imposes structural constraints that reduce its utility as a general-purpose solution. Transactions constructed using this approach must be sent directly to a miner because they do not propagate through the Bitcoin peer-to-peer network in the standard manner. More critically, the protection only applies to coins whose public keys have not yet been exposed on-chain — such as those locked in pay-to-taproot (P2TR) or pay-to-witness-script-hash (P2WSH) outputs where the public key remains hidden until spending. Coins in pay-to-pubkey-hash (P2PKH) or reused pay-to-taproot addresses with revealed public keys — the very cohort a quantum adversary would target first — cannot be secured retroactively by this method.

    Why This Matters

    The research addresses a long-standing theoretical vulnerability in Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography (secp256k1), which secures the vast majority of coins in circulation. While large-scale, fault-tolerant quantum computers capable of breaking ECDSA do not yet exist, advances in quantum error correction and qubit coherence have accelerated expert timelines. The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) has already standardized post-quantum algorithms such as CRYSTALS-Dilithium and SPHINCS+, but integrating them into Bitcoin would require a contentious, multi-year soft fork process with broad miner, developer, and user consensus.

    StarkWare’s hash-based fallback offers a permissionless, immediate escape hatch — but only for a subset of unspent transaction outputs (UTXOs) and at a cost that currently limits use to high-value holdings. The requirement for direct miner submission also introduces trust and censorship considerations. As the ecosystem debates long-term quantum resistance — including proposals for quantum-resistant address formats and commit-reveal schemes — this work establishes a proven, if imperfect, bridge capability.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Does this method require a Bitcoin soft fork or protocol upgrade?
    No. The construction operates entirely within Bitcoin’s existing consensus and script rules, meaning it can be used today without any network-level changes.
    Can this protect all Bitcoin holdings from a quantum attack?
    No. It only secures coins whose public keys have not yet been revealed on-chain — primarily Taproot and certain Script-based outputs. Coins in legacy P2PKH addresses or reused Taproot addresses with exposed public keys remain vulnerable.
    What is the real-world cost to use this quantum-resistant transaction method?
    StarkWare’s published breakdown estimates ~$320 in compute per transaction. Independent analysis by CoinDesk applying claimed optimizations suggests ~$83, while a contest site cites an unverified $66 figure. No subsequent mainnet transaction has confirmed the lower costs.
  • Tezos Surges 30% to 4-Month High After Post-Quantum Code Launch

    Tezos Surges 30% to 4-Month High After Post-Quantum Code Launch

    Key Highlights

    • Tezos (XTZ) surged 30% to $0.38, breaking above its descending resistance trendline for the first time since May
    • Post-quantum resilient DAL shownet went live with 12 bakers and 14 DAL nodes, replacing vulnerable KZG polynomial commitments
    • Open Interest climbed 44% to $18.1 million and derivatives volume surged 272% to $58 million, signaling renewed trader participation

    Tezos Breaks Multi-Month Resistance Amid Technical Breakout

    Tezos may be finally waking up thanks to the broader market’s bullishness. Especially after Tezos closed with higher highs for two consecutive days, breaking above its descending resistance trendline. In doing so, the altcoin rallied from $0.24, flipped its $0.3 resistance, and hit a high of $0.38 for the first time since May.

    At the time of writing, Tezos was trading at around $0.34 following a 30% surge on the daily charts. Over the same period, the altcoin’s trading volume skyrocketed by 878% to $68 million. This may be evidence of high market activity and steady capital flows.

    Post-Quantum Code Deployment Drives Fundamental Catalyst

    Shownet Launch Replaces Vulnerable KZG Commitments

    Besides the improvement in market sentiment, Tezos [$XTZ] pumped in part due to a recent ecosystem development. According to Tezos commons, $XTZ’s post-quantum code has now gone live. The post-quantum resilient DAL shownet is an experimental network with 12 bakers and 14 DAL nodes. Roomsburg noted that this moves post-quantum work into a live test for Tezos builders. The shownet will replace quantum vulnerable KZG polynomial commitment. The shift will enable developers to test infrastructure through RPC endpoints.

    However, Roomsburg also stated that with the shownet now running, the real test will be whether it holds up.

    Network Activity Metrics Show User Growth

    On the flip side, this development also attracted new users to the network. New users increased from 573 to 608. At the same time, a hike in user base also boosted transactions, with daily transactions rising to 121K.

    Derivatives Data Signals Return of Speculative Appetite

    2026 has seen Tezos struggle significantly, with most of its demand drying up too. However, the shift in market sentiment has now incentivized traders, especially speculators, to return. According to Coinglass, Tezos’s Open Interest climbed by 44% to $18.1 million, while the derivatives volume surged by 272% to $58 million.

    Both OI and Volume rising in tandem may allude to strong participation and steady capital inflows. That may be why traders rushed to open strategic positions, either shorts or longs. Meanwhile, the overall Long/Short Ratio has remained below 1 around 0.96. On the contrary, on exchanges such as Binance and OKX, the metric was above 1. The ratio suggested that although investors have started to flip longs, the shift is not complete across all exchanges.

    Why This Matters

    The convergence of technical breakout and fundamental protocol upgrade positions Tezos at a critical inflection point. The post-quantum shownet deployment addresses a long-term cryptographic vulnerability while providing developers a live testing environment— a prerequisite for institutional confidence in blockchain longevity. Simultaneously, the 878% volume surge and 44% Open Interest increase suggest speculative capital is returning after a prolonged demand drought in 2026. However, the mixed Long/Short Ratio across exchanges (0.96 aggregate vs. above 1 on Binance and OKX) indicates fragmented conviction. The network’s ability to sustain 121K daily transactions and retain the 608 new users will determine whether this rally has structural legs or remains a speculative flush.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What price levels should XTZ traders watch next?
    If demand holds, XTZ will reclaim $0.38, flip $0.4 in the short term, and eye $0.5 in the medium term. However, a drop below $0.3 could follow if speculation fades or bulls get flushed out.
    What is the post-quantum DAL shownet and why does it matter?
    The shownet is an experimental network with 12 bakers and 14 DAL nodes that replaces quantum-vulnerable KZG polynomial commitments. It moves post-quantum work into a live test for Tezos builders and enables developers to test infrastructure through RPC endpoints.
    How significant is the derivatives activity surge?
    Open Interest climbed 44% to $18.1 million and derivatives volume surged 272% to $58 million, indicating strong participation and steady capital inflows. However, the Long/Short Ratio at 0.96 aggregate (above 1 on Binance and OKX) shows the long-bias shift isn’t yet complete across all venues.
  • NEAR Protocol Marks 5 Years of 100% Uptime

    NEAR Protocol Marks 5 Years of 100% Uptime

    Key Highlights

    • NEAR Protocol achieved over 1 million transactions per second (TPS) in verified benchmarks while maintaining 100% uptime across five years of operation.
    • Dynamic resharding and post-quantum signing are now live, marking significant scalability and security upgrades for the layer-1 blockchain.
    • Technological milestones position NEAR as an infrastructure leader, potentially driving developer adoption and ecosystem growth amid mixed market signals.

    NEAR Protocol Sets New Performance Benchmarks With Million-TPS Throughput

    NEAR Protocol has announced a suite of infrastructure milestones that collectively underscore its positioning as a high-throughput, enterprise-grade layer-1 blockchain. The network recorded over 1 million transactions per second in verified benchmarking environments, a figure that places it among the highest-performing public blockchains by raw capacity. Equally notable, the protocol has sustained 100% uptime since its mainnet launch five years ago, a reliability metric that distinguishes it in an industry where network outages have affected several major competitors. The announcements were shared via the project’s official channels, accompanied by a link to the formal disclosure for community verification.

    Dynamic Resharding and Post-Quantum Cryptography Go Live

    Beyond raw throughput, NEAR has activated two architectural upgrades designed to future-proof the network. Dynamic resharding — a mechanism that allows the blockchain to adjust its shard count in real time based on demand — is now operational, enabling elastic scalability without requiring hard forks or manual governance interventions. Simultaneously, the network has implemented post-quantum signing, integrating cryptographic primitives resistant to quantum-computing attacks. These features reflect a deliberate strategy to address both present-day scalability bottlenecks and long-term cryptographic risk, catering to developers building applications that require predictable performance and forward-compatible security.

    Market Context: Technical Strength Amid Trading Lull

    Despite the technical fanfare, on-chain and exchange data show NEAR’s trading volume currently unavailable, suggesting a temporary lull in speculative activity. Analysts note that such disconnects between fundamental upgrades and short-term market attention are common in crypto cycles, particularly when macro conditions suppress risk appetite. However, the protocol’s role as a foundational layer for decentralized applications — emphasizing usability, low finality latency, and now quantum-resistant tooling — may attract builder mindshare over time. Projects seeking reliable infrastructure for high-frequency use cases, such as gaming, payments, or real-world asset tokenization, could increasingly evaluate NEAR’s stack as a viable alternative to more congested or less upgradeable networks.

    Why This Matters

    The convergence of million-TPS benchmarking, five-year uptime, live dynamic resharding, and post-quantum cryptography represents a rare full-stack maturity milestone in the layer-1 landscape. Most blockchains optimize for one or two of these dimensions; NEAR’s simultaneous progress across throughput, reliability, adaptive scaling, and cryptographic agility signals a platform engineered for production-grade workloads rather than speculative narratives. As the industry shifts toward modular architectures and application-specific chains, base layers that offer predictable performance and upgradeable security primitives are likely to capture disproportionate developer mindshare. NEAR’s roadmap — now demonstrably executing on these vectors — positions it to benefit from the next wave of institutional and enterprise blockchain adoption, where infrastructure robustness is a procurement requirement, not a marketing claim.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What does NEAR Protocol’s 1 million TPS benchmark mean for real-world usage?

    The 1 million TPS figure was achieved in a verified benchmarking environment and represents theoretical peak capacity under optimized conditions. Actual application throughput will depend on smart contract complexity, network topology, and user behavior, but the headroom suggests NEAR can support high-frequency use cases — such as on-chain order books, real-time gaming, or micropayment streams — without congestion-induced fee spikes.

    How does dynamic resharding differ from static sharding used by other blockchains?

    Static sharding fixes the number of shards at launch or requires a hard fork to change, limiting flexibility. NEAR’s dynamic resharding allows the protocol to split or merge shards automatically in response to load, maintaining optimal resource utilization without governance delays or network disruptions. This elasticity is critical for handling unpredictable demand surges from viral applications or seasonal traffic patterns.

    Why implement post-quantum signing now when quantum computers remain experimental?

    Cryptographic migrations take years to standardize, deploy, and achieve ecosystem-wide adoption. By integrating post-quantum primitives today — specifically lattice-based signatures resistant to Shor’s algorithm — NEAR ensures that accounts and contracts created now remain secure against future quantum advances. This proactive approach aligns with NIST’s post-quantum cryptography standardization timeline and reduces the risk of a disruptive, emergency migration later.

  • QuantusNetwork Launches $QTC on NEAR Protocol

    QuantusNetwork Launches $QTC on NEAR Protocol

    Key Highlights

    • QuantusNetwork has launched $QTC, a post-quantum secure asset, on the NEAR Protocol, marking a significant advancement in quantum-resistant blockchain infrastructure.
    • The $QTC token introduces cross-chain functionality with built-in confidentiality features from inception, addressing emerging threats from quantum computing to traditional cryptographic standards.
    • NEAR Protocol’s scalability and developer-friendly architecture were cited as key factors in its selection as the launch platform for this security-focused asset.

    QuantusNetwork Deploys Quantum-Secure Asset on NEAR Protocol

    QuantusNetwork has officially launched $QTC, a post-quantum asset designed to withstand cryptographic threats posed by advancing quantum computing capabilities, on the NEAR Protocol blockchain. The announcement, disseminated via an official tweet from NEAR Protocol, positions the deployment as a milestone in the evolution of blockchain security architecture. By introducing a quantum-secure, cross-chain asset with confidentiality guarantees from day one, QuantusNetwork aims to preempt vulnerabilities that could compromise existing cryptographic standards as quantum computing technology matures.

    Strategic Platform Selection Underscores Security Focus

    The choice of NEAR Protocol as the launch venue reflects a deliberate alignment with a network recognized for its high throughput, low transaction costs, and developer-centric tooling. NEAR’s sharded proof-of-stake consensus mechanism provides the scalability required for complex cryptographic operations inherent in post-quantum cryptography, while its growing ecosystem of decentralized applications offers immediate utility pathways for $QTC integration. The protocol’s public endorsement of the launch signals institutional-grade confidence in both the asset’s technical design and QuantusNetwork’s security methodology.

    Market Context: Security as a Differentiator Amid Volatility

    The launch arrives during a period of mixed momentum across the broader cryptocurrency market, where divergent price action has underscored the importance of fundamental differentiators. As quantum computing research accelerates globally—with nation-states and major technology firms achieving periodic breakthroughs—the theoretical timeline for cryptographically relevant quantum attacks has compressed. QuantusNetwork’s proactive deployment of $QTC responds directly to this shifting threat model, targeting institutional allocators and security-conscious developers who view quantum resistance as a prerequisite for long-term asset viability rather than a speculative feature.

    Social Signal and Ecosystem Implications

    Early social media engagement surrounding the announcement indicates heightened awareness of post-quantum preparedness within the crypto community. The discourse extends beyond $QTC’s immediate utility, framing the launch as a potential catalyst for broader adoption of quantum-resistant standards across Layer 1 and Layer 2 networks. Observers note that successful integration and sustained demand for $QTC within the NEAR ecosystem could establish a template for security-first asset design, influencing roadmap priorities for projects currently reliant on elliptic curve cryptography vulnerable to Shor’s algorithm.

    Why This Matters

    The deployment of $QTC represents more than a single asset launch; it signals a maturation in how blockchain infrastructure addresses existential cryptographic risks. While quantum computers capable of breaking RSA or ECC encryption remain years from practical realization, the “harvest now, decrypt later” threat model—where adversaries store encrypted traffic for future decryption—creates urgency for forward-secure systems. NEAR Protocol’s role as the launch platform reinforces its positioning as a hub for cryptographic innovation, potentially attracting additional security-focused projects. For market participants, $QTC’s performance will serve as an early indicator of institutional appetite for quantum-native assets and may accelerate standardization efforts across the industry.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What makes $QTC different from other tokens on NEAR Protocol?

    $QTC is designed as a post-quantum secure asset employing cryptographic primitives resistant to attacks by quantum computers, with cross-chain functionality and confidentiality features implemented from launch—distinguishing it from assets relying on classical elliptic curve cryptography.

    Why was NEAR Protocol chosen for this launch?

    NEAR Protocol’s sharded architecture provides the scalability needed for computationally intensive post-quantum operations, while its developer-friendly environment and established ecosystem facilitate rapid integration and adoption of advanced cryptographic assets.

    How does this launch affect the broader blockchain security landscape?

    The introduction of a production-ready quantum-secure asset on a major Layer 1 network sets a precedent for proactive cryptographic migration, potentially accelerating industry-wide adoption of post-quantum standards before quantum threats become practical.

  • ‘This is huge’ – Bitcoin completes first quantum-resistant transaction

    ‘This is huge’ – Bitcoin completes first quantum-resistant transaction

    Bitcoin Achieves First Quantum-Resistant Transaction via StarkWare and MARA Foundation

    The Bitcoin network advanced its quantum defense capabilities this week as StarkWare and the MARA Foundation announced the execution of the first known quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction on August 27.

    Industry Leaders React to Milestone

    Eli Ben-Sasson, CEO of StarkWare, described the development as a pivotal moment for Bitcoin’s post-quantum future.

    This is huge! First, because the fact that we can have a quantum-safe tx on Bitcoin is a real accomplishment. Second, it shows that we can actually find and implement solutions to make Bitcoin and other chains, quantum-ready. We just need to decide that this is the path forward.

    Ben-Sasson further characterized the update as “huge” for the path forward for the post-quantum era for Bitcoin and other chains.

    Understanding Bitcoin’s Current Quantum Vulnerability

    Currently, Bitcoin held at rest behind modern wallet addresses—including Pay-to-Public-Key-Hash (P2PKH) and Native SegWit (P2WPKH)—remains quantum resistant. These address types display only a hash, which conceals the public key on public blockchains and makes it challenging for quantum computers to crack.

    However, a critical vulnerability emerges during spending. The moment a user spends from these addresses, the actual public key is revealed to the blockchain. This exposure makes address reuse susceptible to theft if sufficiently powerful quantum computers become operational.

    Quantum-Safe Bitcoin Transactions Without a Soft Fork

    In April 2024, StarkWare’s Avihu Levy proposed a scheme called quantum-safe Bitcoin (QSB) transactions designed to enhance security without requiring a soft fork. The objective is to provide quantum-resistant protection during the BTC spending process, buying the network time while it explores a protocol-level consensus change for a network-wide upgrade.

    The primary limitation of the QSB scheme is its reliance on private mempools—a waiting area before miners validate or confirm transactions. This inaugural transaction was facilitated through MARA’s private mempool, Slipstream.

    MARA Foundation Perspective on Private Mempools

    Isabela Foxen, head of the MARA Foundation, offered a measured assessment of the approach.

    While we don’t believe private mempools are an appropriate long-term solution for Bitcoin quantum resistance, we’re happy to explore ways Slipstream can support break-glass techniques while we wait for a consensus change.

    Blockstream Advances SHRINCS Proposal

    Separately, Adam Back’s Blockstream released a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) for a post-quantum signature scheme dubbed SHRINCS. The firm characterized it as a “very good trade-off” among current options for the final network-wide upgrade.

    Despite Adam Back downplaying the immediacy of quantum threats, Blockstream has been actively working behind the scenes to accelerate advancement. The BIP will require extensive discussion, criticism, and refinement before potential adoption as the definitive post-quantum upgrade.

    Prediction market data from Polymarket currently indicates the market is pricing only a 5% chance that such an upgrade could occur this year.

    Outlook: Progress Made, Path Uncertain

    Bitcoin’s first quantum-safe transaction executed without a soft fork represents a commendable and positive step forward. However, a final and lasting network-wide upgrade pathway remains uncertain as of writing.

  • Living Nostradamus Issues Chilling Prediction on Future of Global Order

    Living Nostradamus Issues Chilling Prediction on Future of Global Order

    Living Nostradamus Warns Global Power Will Be Decided in Earth’s Orbit

    Brazilian mystic Athos Salomé, known as the “Living Nostradamus” for reportedly predicting events including Queen Elizabeth II’s death and the Covid-19 pandemic, has issued a new warning: the next global hegemony will be determined not on land, but in space.

    Orbit Becomes Strategic Territory

    Salomé recently told LADbible that Earth’s orbit is poised to become the planet’s next strategic territory. While tech billionaires Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos advance plans to launch tens of thousands of satellites, and startups explore concepts like orbital mirrors for constant daylight, Salomé frames the issue around military dominance rather than commercial ambition.

    “The next global hegemony will be determined not by what’s on Earth’s land, but whether an orbital power dominates,”

    According to Salomé, private companies are already developing asteroid-mining projects while superpower militaries pour billions into autonomous satellites and classified orbital technologies. He predicts space-stationed weapons will become standard in the coming years, raising concerns about accelerated militarization and the potential onset of Kessler Syndrome — a cascade of orbital debris collisions that could render low Earth orbit unusable.

    Quantum Computing Threatens Digital Security Architecture

    Beyond space militarization, Salomé warns that advancements in quantum computing represent a turning point comparable to the discovery of electricity. Quantum computers leverage quantum physics to solve complex problems in minutes that would take conventional computers millions of years, according to IBM.

    While quantum computing research remains ongoing and public availability is distant, Salomé argues these machines will soon break the mathematical encryption underpinning modern banking systems, passwords, diplomatic communications, and military networks.

    “The entire world will have to rebuild its digital security architecture. Governments are already quietly moving toward what the experts refer to as ‘post-quantum cryptography’.”

    Converging Sci-Fi Scenarios

    The convergence of orbital weapons platforms and encryption-shattering supercomputers reads like science fiction, yet both developments are actively funded and researched by state actors and private enterprises. Salomé’s predictions highlight the dual-use nature of emerging technologies: satellite constellations enable global connectivity while providing military surveillance capabilities; quantum breakthroughs promise scientific advances while threatening the cryptographic foundations of digital trust.

    As nations and corporations race to establish orbital infrastructure and quantum supremacy, the strategic landscape Salomé describes moves from speculation toward operational reality.