Bitcoin Developers Make Progress on Post-Quantum Cryptography

Bitcoin developers are actively engaged in addressing the post-quantum cryptography challenge, contradicting claims that no serious work is being done on the issue. Blockstream's recent preview of OP_SHRINCSVERIFY is a prime example of this ongoing research effort. The proposal aims to enable efficient and secure stateful post-quantum signatures in Bitcoin.

The development was highlighted by Bitcoin core developer Matt Corallo, who pushed back against claims that no one serious is working on post-quantum cryptography for Bitcoin. Corallo's statement was made in response to Blockstream's announcement of a preview of OP_SHRINCSVERIFY, which is set to be presented at the OPNEXT 2026 event.

OP_SHRINCSVERIFY is designed to enable SHRINCS, a construction aimed at 324-byte stateful post-quantum signatures with static backups. This proposal builds on research that has already been published and debated in public, demonstrating that the work on post-quantum cryptography for Bitcoin is not an isolated effort.