Quantum Testing of Bitcoin and New Crypto Regulations

Cryptocurrency News
6 min read time
|Updated: 2026-09-14
As of September 14, the
crypto market is seeing moderate declines. Bitcoin is trading at around $76,900, Ethereum near $2,450 and XRP around $1.34, while technology and regulation are among the day’s key themes. An experimental method designed to address future quantum risks on the Bitcoin mainnet is back in focus, while the UK is preparing to expand the Bank of England’s innovation responsibilities across payments and stablecoins. In the US, the SEC is continuing to work on updated custody rules designed to address crypto assets.
Market Perspective: Technology and Regulatory Infrastructure Move Into Focus
Today’s three developments focus less on direct asset prices and more on the longer-term infrastructure surrounding the crypto ecosystem. On Bitcoin, alternative methods are being tested to address potential cryptographic risks from future quantum computers. The UK is developing how stablecoins and new payment technologies fit within the existing financial framework, while the SEC is preparing to clarify how investment advisers and funds can custody crypto assets.
However, the status of each development needs to be distinguished carefully. The experimental Bitcoin transaction does not mean that the entire network has become quantum-safe. The UK’s proposed Bank of England objective is not a completed
stablecoin regulatory regime, while the SEC custody initiative remains at the proposed-rule stage rather than representing a final rule already in force.
These distinctions show why technology tests, legislative processes and regulatory proposals need to be assessed according to their current stage of development.
Quantum-Resistant Transaction Method Tested on Bitcoin Mainnet
An experimental transaction using the Quantum-Safe Bitcoin (QSB) method developed by StarkWare researcher Avihu Levy was carried out on the Bitcoin mainnet on August 26. One of the key features of the method is that it can operate without changing Bitcoin’s existing consensus rules or requiring a soft fork.
Existing
Bitcoin signature systems such as ECDSA and Schnorr rely on cryptographic structures that could face risks if sufficiently powerful quantum computers are developed in the future. QSB seeks to introduce an additional protection mechanism based on hash functions rather than relying entirely on elliptic-curve signatures.
However, the scope of the test remains limited. StarkWare explicitly notes that the QSB transaction does not make the Bitcoin network a whole quantum-safe. The method applies only to specifically prepared transactions, uses non-standard transaction formats and currently cannot automatically travel through the regular Bitcoin mempool.
The development therefore should not be interpreted as meaning that Bitcoin has become secure against quantum computers. Instead, it represents an experimental demonstration of how future quantum risks could potentially be addressed while working within Bitcoin’s existing rules.
UK Expands BoE Innovation Role Across Stablecoins and Digital Payments
The UK government plans to give the Bank of England a new secondary objective to support innovation in payment systems and emerging forms of digital money. The scope is expected to include systems using digital settlement assets such as stablecoins.
The new objective will not replace or sit above the Bank of England’s financial stability mandate. Financial stability will remain its primary objective, while innovation will become a secondary consideration when the Bank exercises its regulatory functions.
This distinction is particularly important for stablecoins. The change does not represent the Bank of England approving a specific stablecoin or broadly authorizing stablecoin use. Instead, it is intended to ensure that technological innovation and new forms of digital money are considered within the regulatory framework for critical payment systems.
The UK is also developing a separate regulatory framework for systemic stablecoins. The Bank of England published draft rules for sterling-denominated systemic stablecoin issuers in June and intends to finalize the framework by the end of 2026. Regulated stablecoins are expected to be able to operate under the new regime from 2027.
SEC Prepares to Update Custody Rules Covering Crypto Assets
The US Securities and Exchange Commission is working on new regulations to update existing rules governing how investment advisers and investment funds custody client assets. According to the SEC’s official regulatory agenda, the planned amendments are designed to explicitly address
crypto assets.
The SEC says investment advisers and investment companies have raised questions about how crypto assets can be held in compliance with existing custody requirements. The planned rulemaking aims to clarify this framework while modernizing provisions that may no longer reflect current market and asset-holding practices.
The initiative was submitted for review by the White House Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs on August 25. Official records classify it as being at the
Proposed Rule Stage, with publication of a new proposal anticipated in October 2026.
The SEC has therefore not yet introduced new crypto custody rules. At this stage, the initiative remains part of the preparation and review process for a potential future proposal. Once the proposal is published, the scope of eligible custodians, adviser obligations and requirements applying specifically to crypto assets should become clearer.
CoinTR Insight
Today’s three developments show that technology,
regulation and
custody infrastructure represent separate but interconnected parts of the crypto ecosystem. Bitcoin’s quantum-security experiment focuses on potential future technical risks, the UK is developing its regulatory approach to new forms of digital payments, and the SEC’s custody initiative aims to clarify how crypto assets can be held within institutional financial structures.
When assessing these developments, experimental technical solutions need to be distinguished from existing network functionality, while proposed regulations should be separated from rules that are already in force. The quality of custody infrastructure, regulatory compliance and processes designed to protect user assets are therefore considerations that extend beyond daily price movements.
While CoinTR’s
USDT/TRY
pair provides a way to follow market activity between the Turkish lira and USDT, the range of available trading pairs is only one factor when evaluating a platform. When assessing a
reliable crypto exchange, regulatory compliance, security infrastructure, liquidity, transparency and processes designed to protect user assets should be considered together.
Forward-Looking Takeaway
-
Quantum security for Bitcoin: QSB demonstrated an experimental method that can work within Bitcoin’s existing rules. The next area to watch will be whether protocol-level changes and alternative post-quantum solutions are developed for broader use.
-
The UK stablecoin framework: The planned Bank of England innovation objective will remain subordinate to financial stability. The final legislative change and systemic stablecoin rules expected by the end of 2026 should provide greater clarity on the UK’s next-generation digital payment framework.
-
The SEC custody proposal: The initiative remains at the proposed-rule stage. Publication of the planned proposal should provide more detail on which institutions and requirements will apply to crypto asset custody.
Legal Notice
The information, comments, and evaluations contained in this content do not constitute investment advice. This content is not intended to be prescriptive in any way and is intended to provide general information. It does not constitute investment advice. CoinTR cannot be held responsible for any transactions made based on this information or any losses that may arise.
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