QRL Zond
The Future of Quantum-Resistant Smart Contracts
What is QRL Zond?
QRL Zond (also known as QRL 2.0) is QRL's next-generation quantum-resistant blockchain - an EVM-compatible Layer-1 engineered for the post-quantum era. It represents the evolution of QRL from Proof-of-Work to Proof-of-Stake, bringing smart contract capabilities to the world's first quantum-resistant blockchain.
Core Features
- Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatible: Port Ethereum contracts with minimal changes
- Proof-of-Stake consensus: Energy-efficient consensus replacing the current PoW model
- Smart contracts via Hyperion: A quantum-resistant fork of Solidity
- NIST-approved cryptography: ML-DSA-87 (Dilithium) signature scheme
- Built for developers: Familiar Web3 tooling, seamless migration path
Why Zond Matters
The Quantum Threat is Accelerating
The threat of quantum computers breaking encryption has shifted from "decades away" to a near-term concern. Major developments include:
- NIST finalized the first post-quantum cryptography standards in August 2024
- The EU's Digital Operational Resilience Act, effective January 2025, mandates preparation for cryptographic threats
- US federal agencies are required by law to prepare for quantum migration
- Projections for breaking ECC have tightened to 2027-2033 based on major quantum firm roadmaps
- Algorithmic breakthroughs have reduced the estimated qubits needed to break ECC-256 from 300 million to approximately 1 million
- Google's Willow processor demonstrated a critical error correction milestone in December 2024
Legacy blockchains face a monumental task of migrating - complex technical hurdles, potential performance compromises, and the challenge of user consensus. Zond is built quantum-ready from day one.
A Safe Haven for the Ethereum Ecosystem
The EVM ecosystem represents over $300 billion in value. QRL Zond creates unique opportunities:
- ERC-20 tokens can be replicated on quantum-resistant infrastructure (as QRC-20)
- DeFi protocols can deploy before quantum threats materialize
- NFTs and digital assets secured against future attacks
- Institutional adoption with confidence in long-term security
Technical Architecture
Two-Layer Design
Zond's architecture mirrors Ethereum's post-Merge design:
Execution Layer (go-zond/gzond)
- Monitors newly broadcasted transactions
- Processes them through the Zond Virtual Machine (ZVM)
- Maintains the current state and database
Consensus Layer (qrysm)
- Executes the Proof-of-Stake consensus algorithm
- Coordinates validators across the network
- Ensures reliability and integrity of network operations
Post-Quantum Cryptography
Zond implements NIST-approved quantum-resistant signature schemes:
ML-DSA-87 (Dilithium) - Primary
- Lattice-based signatures (NIST FIPS 204)
- Unlimited signatures per address
- Smaller signature sizes (lower transaction costs)
- Fast verification
- Required for staking validators
- Full NIST compliance at launch
SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+) - Post-Mainnet
- Hash-based signatures (NIST FIPS 205)
- Will be integrated after mainnet launch
- Conservative security assumptions
- Crypto-agile address model allows seamless integration
XMSS (Stateful) - Legacy Support
- Hash-based signatures with robust security guarantees
- Uses one-time keys (requires OTS index tracking)
- Limited number of signatures per wallet
Cryptographic Agility
- Can adopt new NIST-approved algorithms as standards evolve
- Users choose the algorithm that fits their needs
- If one algorithm is compromised, others remain secure
- Built-in future-proofing from day one
- No emergency hard fork needed when new algorithms emerge
This multi-algorithm approach provides defense in depth - not relying on a single cryptographic assumption.
Address Format
Zond uses a distinctive "Q" prefix with a new, shorter address format:
- Significantly shorter than the original QRL format (which was 79 characters)
- Uses 24 bytes internally (vs Ethereum's 20 bytes) to eliminate ambiguity
- Includes a 3-byte descriptor to differentiate between cryptographic schemes
- Network uses QRL/Planck/Shor denominations (replacing ETH nomenclature)
EVM Compatibility
Key breakthrough: Developers can port Ethereum smart contracts to Zond with minimal modifications. The Hyperion compiler (a Solidity fork) supports lattice-based primitives, enabling smart contracts to natively verify quantum-secure signatures.
What this means for developers:
- Write Solidity code as you would on Ethereum
- Use familiar tools: web3.js, Hardhat, Remix-style IDEs (Vortex)
- Deploy with minimal changes - often just the first line of the contract
- Preserve existing toolchains while gaining quantum security
Network Parameters
Zond prioritizes security over speed, with some differences from Ethereum:
| Parameter | Zond | Ethereum |
|---|---|---|
| Block time | 60 seconds | 12 seconds |
| Epoch size | 128 slots (~128 minutes) | 32 slots (~6.4 minutes) |
| Finalization time | ~4-6 hours | ~16 minutes |
| Block size | Larger (higher bandwidth/disk requirements) | Standard |
These parameters reflect the computational overhead of post-quantum cryptography while maintaining network security.
Development Timeline
Completed
- • World's first full-featured quantum-resistant blockchain
- • XMSS signatures from genesis block
- • Zond Virtual Machine (ZVM) testing
- • Hyperion Solidity fork introduced
- • Expanded testing with community developers
- • Web3 API compatibility confirmed
- • Most stable testnet to date
- • Full EVM compatibility demonstrated
- • New "Q" prefix address format rolled out
- • BUIDL Testnet Preview unveiled
- • Strong developer interest demonstrated
- • Shorter, more user-friendly Q-prefix addresses
- • ML-DSA-87 integration completed across the stack
- • QRL-specific address format with 3-byte cryptographic descriptors
In Progress
- • Fixed: Blockchain recovery after extended stalls (tested with 24+ hour scenarios)
- • Qrysm: New wallet seed standard adopted, validator lifecycle updates
- • wallet.js: Dilithium 5 replaced with ML-DSA-87
- • Staking deposit transactions updated to include withdrawal address
- • New block explorer UI/UX design in progress
- • Chrome extension wallet: Lock/unlock, wallet_getCapabilities, wallet_sendCalls RPCs
- • Vortex IDE improvements
- • Zond Web3 Wallet - production ready with Argon2id encryption
- • Multi-account support and QRC20 token management
- • Block explorer with advanced filtering, analytics, and NFT metadata
Coming Soon
- • Incorporates latest cryptography updates
- • Enhanced stability and features
- • Network parameter optimization
- • Audit-ready release
- • Comprehensive security audit and review
- • Focus on cryptography and code quality
- • Leading auditors to be engaged (as done with original QRL)
- • Migration tools for current QRL holders
- • Full ecosystem support
- • SLH-DSA integration planned for post-mainnet
For Current QRL Holders
Your current QRL is quantum-safe and will remain so. The migration from current QRL mainnet to Zond is being designed as an automated, trustless process:
Snapshot
At a predetermined block height, a final snapshot of the PoW chain captures all balances
Migration Contract
A smart contract on Zond mainnet contains all balance data from the snapshot
User-Initiated Claim
Using a simple UI, provide your new Zond address and sign with your existing XMSS address
Automated Transfer
The contract verifies your signature and transfers your full balance
This is a planned, orderly upgrade - not an emergency migration. Details will be finalized as mainnet approaches.
Use Cases
DeFi Protocols
Build lending platforms, DEXs, yield farming, and stablecoins secured against quantum threats from day one.
NFT Platforms
Mint and trade digital assets with long-term security for provenance and ownership.
Decentralized Identity
Self-sovereign identity solutions protected against quantum decryption of personal data.
Trustless Governance
Tamper-proof voting systems and DAO infrastructure with quantum-resistant integrity.
Enterprise Applications
Supply chain tracking, document authentication, and business logic secured for the quantum era.
For Developers
Getting Started Today
Testnet Access
- • Public testnet live at test-zond.theqrl.org
- • Test tokens available from community members (faucet coming)
- • Comprehensive documentation available
Development Tools
- • Zond Web3 Wallet: Chrome extension (similar to MetaMask)
- • Vortex IDE: Fork of Remix for Zond development
- • Hyperion Compiler: Solidity-compatible with PQ extensions
- • Web3.js libraries work with minimal changes
Migration from Ethereum
For most contracts, the only required change is the pragma line:
- • Port Ethereum contracts with minimal code changes
- • Migration guides and tutorials available
- • Community support channels
Why Build on Zond Now?
First-Mover Advantage
- Be early to the quantum-resistant ecosystem
- Establish presence before mass migration from vulnerable chains
- Direct support from the development team during testnet phase
Quantum-Secure from Genesis
- Your dApps and users' assets are protected from day one
- No scrambling to migrate when quantum threats materialize
- Unlike other chains racing against deadlines, QRL controls its timeline
Development Resources
Community Projects
The Zond ecosystem is growing with community-built tools:
QRL Zond Token Generator
by Volt Development
Create quantum-resistant tokens via web interface
Zond Web Wallet
by @moscowchill
User-friendly web interface for sending/receiving assets and token creation
Zond Scan
by @moscowchill
Block explorer for tracking transactions, blocks, validators, and smart contract analysis
Note: Community projects are under active development and may experience instability.
The Zond Ecosystem
Infrastructure
Wallets
- • Desktop, mobile, and web wallets
- • Hardware wallet support planned
- • Multi-signature capabilities
Block Explorer
- • Full transaction history
- • Contract verification
- • Network statistics
Developer Tools
- • Comprehensive APIs
- • Testing frameworks
- • Documentation
- • Code examples
Community
Discord & Telegram
- • Active developer channels
- • Technical support
- • Community discussions
GitHub
- • Open-source code
- • Issue tracking
- • Contribution guidelines
Developer Grants
- • Funding for ecosystem projects
- • Technical support
- • Marketing assistance
Current Development Status (December 2025)
Preparing for Launch
QRL Zond is currently in the final stages of development, with the team focused on refining and testing the platform before Testnet V2 launch in Q1 2026. Testnet V2 represents a critical milestone that includes a comprehensive security audit and review of the project's code, with particular focus on cryptography and security.
What's Happening Now:
- Security Upgrades: The team has fully integrated ML-DSA-87 (Dilithium) across the entire platform including go-qrllib, go-zond, qrysm, and deposit contracts
- Wallet Improvements: Chrome extension wallet with lock/unlock functionality, advanced RPC support, and Argon2id encryption
- Network Stability: Fixed blockchain recovery after extended stalls, tested with 24+ hour scenarios
- Block Explorer: New UI/UX design in progress with advanced filtering, analytics charts, and NFT metadata support
The Bottom Line: The development team is doing careful, methodical work to ensure Zond launches as a secure, reliable, and user-friendly platform. This refactoring phase is a sign of maturity and thoroughness, not delay.
Stay Updated
Follow the latest progress through QRL Weekly Updates - short, accessible reports published every week showing what the team has accomplished.
Roadmap
Q1 2026: Testnet V2 & Audit
- Launch audit-ready Testnet V2
- Comprehensive security audit
- Network parameter finalization
2026: Mainnet Launch
- QRL 2.0 mainnet release (post-audit)
- Migration tools for current QRL holders
- Developer onboarding programs
- Supplementary tooling and Vortex IDE support
Post-Mainnet: Continued Enhancement
- SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+) integration
- Additional post-quantum algorithm support
- Layer 2 integrations
- Cross-chain bridges
2027-2029: Growth
- Project migrations from Ethereum
- Institutional partnerships
- Thriving DeFi ecosystem
2030+: Quantum Era
- Established quantum-resistant smart contract platform
- Safe haven for assets from vulnerable chains
Join the Quantum-Resistant Future
The quantum threat to blockchain is real and accelerating. With Zond, we're not just anticipating the challenge - we're building the solution.
The future is quantum-resistant. The future is Zond.