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Blockstream Identifies Falcon-1024 as Leading Quantum Signature Candidate

Blockstream Identifies Falcon-1024 as Leading Quantum Signature Candidate

First seen 8 Nov 2026, 12:16 UTC • •
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ThreatCluster AI
ThreatCluster •November 8, 2026 at 12:17 UTC
  • •Falcon-1024 is favored for its compact size and efficient verification.
  • •Deployment faces memory and implementation challenges.
  • •Current Bitcoin security remains unaffected by quantum threats.

Blockstream Research has identified Falcon-1024 as the top candidate for quantum-proof Bitcoin signatures, according to a peer-reviewed paper published on August 6, 2026. The paper compares Falcon-1024 with two other schemes, Dilithium and Hawk, highlighting Falcon's smaller size and faster verification times. However, it also points out significant challenges, including high memory requirements (90 KB for signing), implementation complexity due to floating-point arithmetic, and the lack of support for hierarchical deterministic key derivation. Additionally, Falcon-1024 is not yet standardized, meaning its deployment in Bitcoin is not imminent. Blockstream is also exploring more conservative options like hash-based signatures through its SHRINCS proposal, which is currently in draft BIP status. For now, Bitcoin's existing security measures remain intact as no quantum machines capable of compromising Bitcoin signatures are currently available.

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Timeline

2026-08-06
Blockstream paper published
Blockstream Research published a paper naming Falcon-1024 as the strongest candidate for quantum-proof Bitcoin signatures.
Cryptonews
2026-08-31
SHRINCS reaches draft BIP status
Blockstream's hash-based signature approach, SHRINCS, achieved draft BIP status, marking the start of public review.
Cryptonews

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Common questions

What are the main challenges for Falcon-1024?
The main challenges include high memory requirements, implementation complexity, and lack of standardization.
Is Falcon-1024 ready for deployment in Bitcoin?
No, Falcon-1024 is not ready for deployment due to several technical hurdles and the need for standardization.
What alternative is Blockstream pursuing?
Blockstream is also developing SHRINCS, a hash-based signature approach, which is currently in draft BIP status.