Avihu Levy: StarkWare Shows Bitcoin Ownership Protection via QSB Mainnet Tx

Contrast With XRPL Focus

While CoinDesk covered an XRPL post-quantum roadmap recap, StarkWare confirmed that a quantum-safe Bitcoin transaction using Avihu Levy’s method was mined on mainnet in block 964199. The August 26 development gives holders an immediate way to move coins into storage a quantum computer cannot open. Christian Barker (Barkmeta / Bark) and David Chaboki (Shibo) walk through Levy’s mainnet QSB with the Doginal Dogs pack, underscoring how a hash-based lock protects ownership in a manner unrelated to any XRPL Q-Day recap.

Method and Execution

Levy developed the Quantum-Safe Bitcoin approach in April 2026. Engineer Tomer Giladi turned the research into a working mainnet transaction. The design pairs hash-based locks with off-chain signature grinding known as Binohash. No consensus change occurred. The transaction stayed nonstandard, so MARA Slipstream supplied the direct miner path. Off-chain costs ran several hundred dollars for this first run.

Ownership and Utility Lens

Bitcoin holders now hold an opt-in path to move coins before any future soft fork arrives. The method protects addresses whose public keys remain unpublished. It does not alter Bitcoin itself or shield coins already exposed through prior public-key publication. This utility sits squarely on ownership: a holder can lock value in a form that resists Shor’s algorithm without waiting for network-wide upgrades.

Limits of the Current Approach

QSB works only for fresh spends. It cannot reach already-visible public keys. Fees and compute demands stay higher than standard transactions. The transaction spent 10,000 satoshis and paid a 5,179-satoshi fee. CEO Eli Ben-Sasson called the effort a passion project that demonstrates Bitcoin has no expiration date, even as he continues to favor a long-term soft fork.

Market Context on August 30

On the chart, BTC printed at $78,714 for a 1.4 percent gain. ETH traded at $2,466.39 after a 1.3 percent rise. SOL moved to $106.34 with a 2.5 percent advance. DOGE held $0.085385 after a 0.6 percent uptick. These candles reflect steady interest in Bitcoin utility stories amid broader majors movement.

Operator Takeaways

The transaction offers a concrete demonstration that ownership can be defended today. Operators can test the approach on small amounts to understand the off-chain workflow. The story centers on usable protection rather than network overhaul. Holders gain a tool that fits current rules while the community debates larger upgrades.

Next Steps for Users

Anyone holding coins with unpublished keys can explore hash-lock setups through the documented method. Costs remain material for small positions, so larger bags see clearer utility. The mainnet print removes doubt that the concept functions under live conditions. Future work may reduce the friction around miner submission and signature grinding.

StarkWare’s August 26 confirmation keeps the focus on practical ownership steps that align with current price action and candle behavior across the majors.