Blockstream Evaluates Falcon-1024 as Bitcoin Prepares for Potential Quantum Threats

Blockstream researchers evaluate Falcon-1024, Dilithium and Hawk as potential lattice-based signature schemes for Bitcoin's quantum security.

Blockstream is examining how Bitcoin could adopt new digital signature schemes to protect the network against potential threats from future quantum computers, with its research team identifying Falcon-1024 as a leading lattice-based candidate after comparing several alternatives.

According to Wu Blockchain, Blockstream's researchers assessed Dilithium, Falcon and Hawk as possible lattice-based signature schemes. Their evaluation favored Falcon-1024, which the team considered a suitable balance of compact signatures, fast verification and mature security assumptions.

Falcon-1024 Emerges as a Candidate

The assessment reflects ongoing research into cryptographic approaches that could help Bitcoin address the risks posed by advances in quantum computing. Digital signatures are fundamental to Bitcoin's security, and the possibility of future quantum capabilities has prompted researchers to examine alternatives to existing cryptographic methods.

Among the three lattice-based options considered, Falcon-1024 stood out for its combination of practical performance characteristics and security considerations. Its compactness and verification speed were among the factors supporting the team's preference.

However, identifying a promising candidate does not mean the technology is ready for deployment across Bitcoin. Several technical and implementation challenges remain unresolved, according to the research summary.

Standardization and Wallet Challenges Remain

One obstacle is unfinished standardization. Without completed standards, integrating a new signature scheme into Bitcoin would require further technical work and evaluation. The researchers also highlighted hardware wallet memory requirements, which could complicate implementation on devices with limited resources.

Another unresolved issue is the absence of a workable public-key derivation scheme. This presents an additional hurdle for adapting lattice-based signatures to Bitcoin's existing key-management arrangements.

Blockstream's research therefore distinguishes between evaluating a potential long-term solution and selecting an approach that could be implemented in the near term.

Hash-Based Signatures Remain the Conservative Option

Despite the interest in lattice-based cryptography, the researchers emphasized that hash-based signatures remain the more conservative near-term option for Bitcoin. This indicates that Falcon-1024 is being considered as a candidate rather than an immediate replacement for the network's existing signature system.

A hybrid deployment could also become a potential future approach, allowing different cryptographic methods to be incorporated together. However, the research summary does not establish a deployment schedule or confirm that Bitcoin will adopt Falcon-1024.

For now, Blockstream's evaluation highlights both the potential of lattice-based signatures and the practical work still required, including standardization, hardware wallet compatibility and public-key derivation.

Writer: Victoria Hale
Technology & Blockchain Writer

Victoria Hale writes about blockchain technology, digital infrastructure, and the intersection of emerging technologies with finance. Her articles explore how new protocols and systems are shaping the evolving digital economy.

She prioritises clarity and accuracy when explaining technical developments to a general audience.

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