Key Highlights
- Blockstream proposed OP_CHECKSHRINCS for post-quantum Bitcoin security.
- The update included new Jade hardware wallet models and firmware upgrades.
- Liquid Network outlined roadmap plans, including BitVM-style bridge support.
Blockstream, a Bitcoin and digital asset infrastructure company, has published its Q2 2026 quarterly update, detailing progress across research, post-quantum cryptography, hardware, sidechain development, and Lightning Network infrastructure.
According to the report published on Friday, a key focus was post-quantum cryptography for Bitcoin. Blockstream Research proposed OP_CHECKSHRINCS, a new signature opcode based on a hash-based scheme.
How Blockstream plans for quantum era
The proposal builds on earlier work deployed on the Liquid sidechain and is intended to address potential future quantum computing threats while maintaining reasonable transaction throughput.
According to the update, the scheme could support up to 3 transactions per second with 580-byte signatures, relying only on SHA-256, a hash function already used extensively in Bitcoin. This contrasts with some NIST-standardized alternatives that offer lower throughput. The team released a C++ implementation, a simplicity verifier, and a specification draft for community review.
More updates across the ecosystem
Blockstream expanded its Jade hardware wallet lineup to three models: Jade Classic ($79), Jade Core ($99), and Jade Plus ($149). The devices share open-source firmware and emphasize self-custody. Jade Core is positioned as an accessible option for users moving assets from exchanges. Firmware updates added two-factor authentication capabilities, allowing offline storage of OTP codes.
The Liquid sidechain published a development roadmap targeting several features, including 0-confirmation transactions, removal of the asset issuance limit (via ELIP 203), and a BitVM-style bridge.
Additional work includes updates to the AMP tokenization platform and improved documentation for the Liquid Wallet Kit. The network has facilitated over $5 billion in tokenized real-world assets.
Lightning and enterprise efforts continue
Core Lightning released versions 26.04 and 26.06, graduating splicing from experimental status and introducing improvements such as bwatch, xpay as default, and expanded dispute windows. The update also noted the departure of longtime contributor Rusty Russell after 11 years.
Blockstream Enterprise continued engagement with financial institutions, presenting its stack in various venues and preparing limited beta access. The Explorer API received analytics and rate-limiting enhancements.
Industry focus on post-quantum security grows
Blockstream’s update comes as several blockchain projects and governments advance post-quantum cryptography initiatives.
Last month, Algorand outlined a roadmap targeting broad quantum resistance by the end of 2027, with the first phase beginning in Q3 2026. The plan includes upgrades to user accounts, wallets, custody solutions, and core network components.
Similarly, Stellar launched its Quantum Preparedness Plan (QPP), aiming to enable quantum-resistant signatures for all accounts while maintaining backward compatibility. The network expects full support through a protocol upgrade by the end of 2027.
Meanwhile, US President Trump signed two executive orders mandating federal agencies to transition to NIST-approved post-quantum standards, with hard deadlines of December 2030 for key establishments and December 2031 for digital signatures.
These coordinated efforts reflect growing urgency across blockchain projects and governments to prepare for quantum computing threats to current cryptographic systems.
The question of sustainability
While Blockstream’s Q2 update highlights continued development across Bitcoin infrastructure, many of its initiatives remain in the research or planning stage. For example, OP_CHECKSHRINCS has been proposed for community review, and any potential adoption on Bitcoin would require broad consensus through the network’s governance process.
Similarly, the expanded Jade hardware wallet lineup broadens self-custody options, although widespread adoption continues to depend on broader user demand and preferences. The update reflects Blockstream’s continued focus on long-term infrastructure development, with many of the technologies expected to evolve over multiple development cycles before broader deployment.
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