Rather than requiring changes to Bitcoin’s core rules, the approach lets users opt into quantum-resistant protection at the contract level.

Blockstream Research has deployed what it says are the first transactions on a live Bitcoin sidechain protected by post-quantum cryptography.

This is in direct response to growing warnings that powerful quantum computers could eventually break the security systems that protect crypto wallets.

What Blockstream Actually Built

Following Google’s recent quantum paper examining risks across several layers of the crypto system, including wallets, block validation, and cross-chain bridges, Blockchain Research revealed that it had already…