Skip to main content

Posts

StarkWare Runs Quantum-Resistant Bitcoin Transactions on Mainnet

StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy says he has successfully completed what the company describes as the first quantum-resistant Bitcoin transaction on the mainnet—an onchain test of Levy’s Quantum Safe Bitcoin (QSB) approach. According to StarkWare, the transaction was confirmed Wednesday in Bitcoin block 964,199, and onchain data indicates it spent a 10,000-satoshi output protected using QSB. Block propagation for the test relied on MARA Pool’s Slipstream service, reflecting that the experiment did not follow Bitcoin Core’s default transaction relay rules. Key takeaways First mainnet demonstration: StarkWare reports QSB was confirmed in Bitcoin block 964,199, moving Levy’s April proposal from concept to live spending. No consensus upgrade required: StarkWare says the test was compatible with Bitcoin’s existing consensus rules, without changing the protocol. Higher compute costs: StarkWare estimates the transaction required “low hundreds of dollars,” with computation taking hours...
Post a Comment
Read more
Recent posts

Quantum-Secure Bitcoin via SHRINCS BIP: Benefits With a Trade-Off

Blockstream CEO Adam Back may have long played down the immediacy of quantum threats, but the company he leads is moving forward with concrete work on how Bitcoin could upgrade if sufficiently powerful quantum computers ever become a practical reality. That progress just received a fresh milestone: a Bitcoin Improvement Proposal (BIP) for the company’s experimental post-quantum signature scheme, SHRINCS, was published on the project’s GitHub repository. The development matters because Bitcoin’s current elliptic-curve signature system (used for spending authorization) is widely understood to be vulnerable to the key-recovery capabilities of future quantum machines. While the exact timeline remains debated, cryptographers agree the worst-case scenario would allow attackers to derive private keys from public keys and steal funds—making migration planning an industry priority rather than a reactive scramble. Key takeaways Blockstream published a BIP for SHRINCS, positioning it as an acti...
Post a Comment
Read more

Survey Finds 77% of Americans View Crypto as Risky in Retirement Plans

A new survey from the National Institute on Retirement Security (NIRS) finds that most Americans remain wary of including cryptocurrency in workplace retirement plans. The research comes as U.S. policymakers work to broaden the range of alternative assets available in 401(k) and other defined-contribution plans—potentially placing crypto more directly in retirement-savings conversations. According to the NIRS survey, 77% of Americans view cryptocurrency included in workplace retirement plans as risky, with 46% describing it as “very risky.” In parallel, 53% oppose employers offering crypto as an investment option. Key takeaways 77% of respondents say crypto exposure in workplace retirement plans is risky, including 46% who call it very risky. 53% oppose employers adding crypto to retirement plan investment lineups. Concerns about retirement security are rising: 80% say the U.S. faces a retirement crisis, up from 67% in 2020. Debt and affordability pressures persist: 77%...
Post a Comment
Read more

SEC Drafts Crypto Custody Rule Overhaul, Submits to White House

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has taken a procedural step toward rewriting how investment advisers and investment companies handle client custody rules—potentially including clearer guidance for crypto asset custody. The agency’s proposal was submitted on Aug. 25 to the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs (OIRA), where it will undergo review by the White House Office of Management and Budget before returning to the SEC and, if approved, being opened for public comment. According to the SEC’s regulatory agenda, the rules are intended to reduce uncertainty over how regulated firms may hold crypto for clients while complying with federal securities requirements tied to the Investment Advisers Act and the Investment Company Act. The SEC has not yet published the full proposal for public view, and OIRA retains the ability to request revisions before the SEC considers whether to advance the draft. Key takeaways The SEC submitted “Amendments to the Custody Rules...
Post a Comment
Read more

Chainalysis: $457B Taxable Crypto Activity, CARF Policy Gaps Claimed

Chainalysis estimates that potentially taxable crypto activity on major public blockchains reached at least $457 billion worldwide in 2025. But the firm argues that current international tax reporting rules will likely capture only a minority of that activity—leaving most onchain activity outside the data flows tax authorities can use. In Chainalysis’ figures, the United States accounted for an estimated $112.6 billion, while North America led all regions with $134.6 billion. The European Union followed with $125.1 billion. The analysis focuses on realized gains, income from activities such as mining, staking and lending, and crypto-denominated payments across six major blockchains—while excluding activity conducted within centralized exchanges. Key takeaways Chainalysis pegs potentially taxable onchain activity in 2025 at $457 billion globally, but most of it falls outside OECD’s Crypto-Asset Reporting Framework (CARF). CARF-covered transactions account for an estimated 14% of the...
Post a Comment
Read more

CoinbaseBetter Launches Bitcoin-Backed Mortgages for US Buyers

Better Mortgage and Coinbase have moved their Bitcoin-backed mortgage offering out of the early-access phase and made it generally available to US homebuyers, the companies announced Wednesday. The product is designed to let borrowers use Bitcoin as collateral for a down payment without selling their BTC, while still securing a Fannie Mae-backed home loan. Under the structure described by Coinbase, buyers take a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage alongside a separate down payment loan that is secured by Bitcoin. Borrowers must pledge BTC worth at least 250% of the down payment loan, with the pledged assets transferred to Better’s custodial setup through Coinbase Prime. Key takeaways Better and Coinbase say the Bitcoin-backed down-payment feature is now broadly available to US borrowers. Coinbase’s Help Center states the pledged BTC must be at least 250% of the down payment loan value. Bitcoin price drops do not automatically trigger margin calls or changes to mortgage terms. Better can...
Post a Comment
Read more

Better Launches Bitcoin-Backed Mortgages Using Coinbase Technology

Better Mortgage and Coinbase have expanded their Bitcoin-backed mortgage option, moving it into general availability for eligible US homebuyers. The product is designed to let borrowers use Bitcoin as collateral for a down payment while keeping the primary home loan tied to a Fannie Mae-backed mortgage. Announced Wednesday, the offering combines two linked loans: a Fannie Mae-backed home loan from Better and a separate down payment loan secured by Bitcoin. According to Coinbase’s Help Center, borrowers must pledge BTC worth at least 250% of the down payment loan amount, with the pledged Bitcoin transferred to Better’s custodial account on Coinbase Prime. Key takeaways Better and Coinbase’s token-backed mortgage is now generally available to qualifying US borrowers. Borrowers pledge Bitcoin to secure the down payment loan, without having to sell BTC. Coinbase states Bitcoin price declines alone do not automatically trigger margin calls or mortgage term changes. Better may liquid...
Post a Comment
Read more