Quantum Layer Separation in Original Bitcoin: Authorization, Proof-of-Work, Residual State, and Ordering

This paper argues that quantum risk in original Bitcoin is layer-specific rather than protocol-uniform. Using the November 2008 pre-release witness as its primary corpus, it separates authorization, proof-of-work, residual-state accounting, and timechain ordering. The clearest Shor-sensitive surface is authorization, where public-key signatures govern spending authority. Proof-of-work belongs to a different problem class: hash-target search, where Grover-class advantage changes search economics without becoming key recovery. Residual spendable state and accepted ordering are not themselves cryptographic secrets, though they may be affected indirectly if authorization or proof-of-work assumptions change. The paper does not claim that original Bitcoin is quantum-proof or provide a production post-quantum migration design. It argues instead that migration discussion should begin only after the protocol layers have been separated.

Authors

Publication Details

Journal
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Published
2026-06-12
DOI
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.20671182
Primary Topic
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
Type
preprint
Controls
|||
ALL TIME
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
preprint

Quantum Layer Separation in Original Bitcoin: Authorization, Proof-of-Work, Residual State, and Ordering

PARTH MAURIA SAXENA
Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
preprint

Quantum Layer Separation in Original Bitcoin: Authorization, Proof-of-Work, Residual State, and Ordering

PARTH MAURIA SAXENA
preprint en

Abstract

This paper argues that quantum risk in original Bitcoin is layer-specific rather than protocol-uniform. Using the November 2008 pre-release witness as its primary corpus, it separates authorization, proof-of-work, residual-state accounting, and timechain ordering. The clearest Shor-sensitive surface is authorization, where public-key signatures govern spending authority. Proof-of-work belongs to a different problem class: hash-target search, where Grover-class advantage changes search economics without becoming key recovery. Residual spendable state and accepted ordering are not themselves cryptographic secrets, though they may be affected indirectly if authorization or proof-of-work assumptions change. The paper does not claim that original Bitcoin is quantum-proof or provide a production post-quantum migration design. It argues instead that migration discussion should begin only after the protocol layers have been separated.

Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research)
Reduced inequalities
Blockchain Technology Applications and Security
AI Navigator

Ask Laika to Summarize, Analyze, and Connect papers live on the map.

Summarize Papers & Methodologies

Extract key findings, datasets, and comparative methods across publications.

Benchmark Rankings & Visual Analytics

Rank top research institutions, authors, funders, topics, and journals by Field-Weighted Citation Impact (FWCI) and paper volume with instant charts.

Connect Distant Disciplines

Bridge topological clusters on the map to find hidden collaborative intersections.

Quantum Layer Separation in Original Bitcoin: Authorization, Proof-of-Work, Residual State, and Ordering — PARTH MAURIA SAXENA · Zenodo (CERN European Organization for Nuclear Research) (2026) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS