Blockstream names Falcon-1024 its top quantum-resistant signature pick for Bitcoin

A new Blockstream Research paper favors the compact lattice scheme but flags memory, wallet, and standardization hurdles before deployment Blockstream Research has picked a favorite in the race to quantum-proof Bitcoin. A peer-reviewed paper published on August 6, 2026 names Falcon-1024 as the strongest lattice-based signature candidate for the network. Picking a favorite is not the same as picking a launch date. The same paper spends considerable time explaining why Falcon-1024 is not ready to drop into Bitcoin anytime soon. Three contenders, one frontrunner The paper evaluates three lattice-based post-quantum signature schemes: Dilithium, Falcon, and Hawk. Each was assessed for how well it could work inside Bitcoin’s constraints. Falcon-1024 won on size. Its combined public key and signature come in at 3,073 bytes. Dilithium at Category 3 needs 5,261 bytes for the same job. Falcon’s footprint is a bit more than half of Dilithium’s, which matters a great deal on a blockchain where every byte competes for limited block space. Blockstream also highlighted Falcon-1024’s efficient verification times. Every node on the network checks signatures, so a scheme that verifies quickly keeps ...