Technology 3 min read

Quantum Resistant Ledger Could Make Current Blockchain Models Obsolete

Blockchain models need to adapt to the future of quantum computing. Now, the first Quantum resistant ledger has finally arrived. | Image by Morrowind | Shutterstock

Blockchain models need to adapt to the future of quantum computing. Now, the first Quantum resistant ledger has finally arrived. | Image by Morrowind | Shutterstock

The long-awaited arrival of quantum computing is keeping cryptographers awake at night.

Current security methods used to secure online communications will be obsolete in the face of this technology.

For cryptocurrency systems, the rise of quantum computers is especially threatening as they will make for an easy and tantalizing target for hackers.

Read More: Are Cryptocurrencies at Risk of Quantum Hacking?

While cryptographers are working on new encryption methods that could resist quantum attacks, other researchers are rethinking cryptocurrency systems from the ground up.

“Quantum Resistant Ledger” Cuts With Blockchain

A new Blockchain technology, powered by quantum computers, and with a crypto coin for good measure, promises to keep quantum hack attacks at bay.

Called the Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL), the new network wants to revolutionize Blockchain technology and prepare it for the upcoming quantum era.

The Quantum Resistant Ledger was conceived and designed as a response to both the current cybercrime pandemic as well as future developments, especially quantum computing.

In a podcast, Adam Koltun, QRL’s Lead Business Strategist, presented the platform as the safest crypto network built on “rock-solid foundations”.

Compared to other networks, the Quantum Resistant Ledger system is supposed to resist cyber attacks, whether launched from silicon-based or quantum computers.

“The Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) will be a first of its kind, future-proof post-quantum value store and decentralized communication layer which tackles the threat Quantum Computing will pose to cryptocurrencies,” said Koltun.

As Koltun explained, it’s hard for existing cryptocurrency systems to implement a quantum-resistant technology because that needs the consent of each and every user of the network, which is almost impossible.

Thought already a functional test network, QRL is now under “the process of security audit, which is one of the very last steps before launching the main network.”

Unlike the “elliptic cryptography” used to secure Blockchain networks, QRL’s unique cryptography system relies on a quantum-resistant hashtag-based signature tree called XMSS (Extended Merkle Signature Scheme), and a low power proof-of-stake algorithm.

Thanks to XMSS and POS, QRL network can provide one-time unique signatures that ensure private keys are impervious to the quantum software Shor.

QRL has a main native cryptocurrency (called Quanta), but when fully launched, the QRL platform also allows for spinning what they call QRTs (Quantum Resistant Tokens).

Sounds good, but a question Koltun was not asked and remains to be answered: what about existing cryptocurrency platforms? They can’t resist quantum attacks and can’t implement features that allow them to do that.

In the future, will there be a way to update these older platforms to become quantum resistant?

Read More: Quantum Security: Quantum Key Distribution is the End of Malware

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Zayan Guedim

Trilingual poet, investigative journalist, and novelist. Zed loves tackling the big existential questions and all-things quantum.

Comments (2)
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  1. Digital Reserve June 28 at 9:05 pm GMT

    Articles from our C.E.O. when he was leading QRL as a Co-Founder.

    The Case for Quantum Resistance
    https://medium.com/the-quantum-resistant-ledger/the-investment-thesis-for-a-quantum-resistant-ledger-9d335f8cf9ef

    A Post Quantum World

    https://medium.com/@jomari.peterson/preparing-for-a-post-quantum-world-blockchain-and-technology-3fb4af6e88bb

  2. Profile Image
    Francis Erdman May 25 at 12:45 pm GMT

    Quantum Resistant Ledger does NOT run on quantum computers, it runs on normal computers like a normal blockchain. It is basically an ERC 20 fork which *claims* to have some super secret encryption that is so advanced that it is unbreakable by quantum computers (encryption, which, conveniently, nobody is allowed to see). It is basically an exit scam. There is a reason why Adam Koltun left the project, and that is because he is based in the USA and could have been subject to prosecution had he remained part of the project. The others are conveniently in no extradition treaty countries like Switzerland. The entire thing is a total fraud.

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