What is WOTS+?

WOTS+ stands for Winternitz One-Time Signature Plus—a quantum-secure digital signature scheme that’s simple, fast, and impossible to break, even by future quantum computers.

It’s part of the SPHINCS+ signature system and is used to sign data without relying on vulnerable cryptography like RSA or ECC.

Key Features

  • Quantum-Resistant — WOTS+ uses hash functions only, which are immune to quantum attacks.
  • One-Time Use = Maximum Security — Each key is used to sign only one message, making it impossible to reuse or forge.
  • Simple & Efficient — The algorithm is lightweight—perfect for fast validation and low-resource devices.
  • Building Block for SPHINCS+ — WOTS+ is the core component that powers SPHINCS+, giving it both speed and post-quantum strength.

How It Works (Simplified)

  1. A hash-based public/private key pair is generated.
  2. The private key is used once to sign a message.
  3. The signature is verified using the public key.
  4. That key pair is then discarded—no reuse, no risk.

Why it matters

Traditional crypto (like Bitcoin) uses reusable keys that quantum computers will eventually crack.

WOTS+ avoids this completely by:

  • Never reusing keys
  • Never exposing the private key
  • Only using hash functions (no elliptic curves)

In Xcoin, WOTS+ ensures every signature is future-proof, tamper-proof, and quantum-secure.

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