Quantum Coin (Q) is a Layer-1 blockchain that uses NIST standardized post-quantum cryptography in hybrid mode (FIPS 203, 204, 205). The node implementation is open source at github.com/quantumcoinproject/quantum-coin-go.
Quantum Coin is built on the finalized NIST PQC standards. This is verifiable in the source code through the implementation of:
- ML-KEM (FIPS 203): Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism (formerly CRYSTALS-Kyber) for secure node-to-node handshakes.
- ML-DSA (FIPS 204): Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (formerly CRYSTALS-Dilithium) for quantum-secure transactions.
- SLH-DSA (FIPS 205): Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm (formerly SPHINCS+) for additional hash-based security layers.
Quantum Coin uses a hybrid construction to ensure security against both classical and quantum computers. This approach follows the recommendations from NIST and cybersecurity agencies (such as ANSSI and BSI) for a safe transition to PQC.
Quantum Coin accounts are secured by a multi-signature hybrid scheme:
- ML-DSA (FIPS 204) - Primary lattice-based signature.
- SLH-DSA (FIPS 205) - Secondary hash-based signature.
- Ed25519 (FIPS 186-5) - Classical elliptic curve signature.
Verification Rule: A transaction is valid ONLY if all three independent signatures are verified successfully. This ensures that even if a quantum computer breaks Ed25519, the NIST-standardized PQC algorithms maintain security. Conversely, if a future vulnerability is found in a lattice-based scheme, the hash-based and classical schemes still protect the account.
P2P sessions are established using a hybrid KEM:
- ML-KEM-768 (FIPS 203) combined with classical ECDH (X25519).
- Final session keys derived via HKDF (RFC 5869).
- Handshake protocol follows RFC 8446 (TLS 1.3) style architecture.
The cryptographic implementation is open source in the Quantum Coin Go node:
- Repository: github.com/quantumcoinproject/quantum-coin-go
- Cryptography Implementation:
/crypto- includes optimized and verified implementations of FIPS 203, 204, and 205. - Hybrid Handshake:
/p2p/rlpx- implements the post-quantum hybrid key exchange.
| Feature | NIST Standard / FIPS | Algorithm Name |
|---|---|---|
| Key Encapsulation (KEM) | FIPS 203 | ML-KEM (Kyber) |
| Digital Signature (Lattice) | FIPS 204 | ML-DSA (Dilithium) |
| Digital Signature (Hash) | FIPS 205 | SLH-DSA (SPHINCS+) |
| Classical Signature | FIPS 186-5 | Ed25519 |
| Hybrid Mode | NIST SP 800-227 (Draft) | Hybrid PQC + Classical |
Hybrid cryptography combines post-quantum algorithms with classical algorithms so that:
- Security is maintained even if one algorithm is compromised.
- Protection against both quantum attacks (Shor's algorithm) and classical attacks.
- Provides a migration path as post-quantum cryptography matures.
Hosted at QuantumCoin.org.
The algorithms used by Quantum Coin are standardized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST):
- FIPS 203: ML-KEM (Module-Lattice-Based Key-Encapsulation Mechanism)
- FIPS 204: ML-DSA (Module-Lattice-Based Digital Signature Algorithm)
- FIPS 205: SLH-DSA (Stateless Hash-Based Digital Signature Algorithm)
These standards were finalized as part of NIST's Post-Quantum Cryptography Standardization project.
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- Please reach out in our Discord Server for any questions.
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mainbranch.
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