Researchers have unveiled a novel approach to make Bitcoin transactions secure against future quantum computer attacks without altering the network's core protocol. The proposed scheme replaces current elliptic-curve cryptography with hash-based puzzles and Lamport signatures, known for their quantum resistance.
This method requires users to solve a complex cryptographic puzzle off-chain before broadcasting a transaction. While estimated to cost a few hundred dollars per transaction using commodity hardware, it is presented as a temporary, last-resort measure rather than a scalable, permanent solution due to computational and size limitations. The research addresses the theoretical quantum threat, a concern that has major tech companies like Google and Cloudflare preparing their systems for a post-quantum era.