StarkWare validates quantum secure locking scheme on Bitcoin mainnet

StarkWare researchers are verifying a quantum secure locking scheme (QSB) on the Bitcoin mainnet that does not require a soft fork. The first QSB output was spent on block 964199 on August 26, 2026, reducing GPU computing costs from approximately $320 to approximately $50. QSB builds a locking mechanism through hash calculation, but there are limitations such as high computational costs, non-compliance with Bitcoin Core's default relay rules, and lack of supporting facilities. Currently, it is only an emergency research plan.