What is Quantum Resistant Ledger? How It Works & Where to Use It

Overview

Quantum Resistant Ledger at a glance.

Quantum Resistant Ledger is a blockchain built around signature schemes that aim to stay secure even against future quantum computers. Here is how it works and what it is used for, not the price.

Total value locked (DeFi)

n/a

Value locked in DeFi protocols on Quantum Resistant Ledger. Updated Jun 8, 2026. Source: DefiLlama.

Native token

QRL

Used for fees and securing the network. See the live QRL price.

How it works

How Quantum Resistant Ledger works.

QRL launched in 2018 as a proof of work chain where miners produce blocks roughly once a minute. Its defining feature is account security based on XMSS, a hash-based signature scheme standardized by the IETF, rather than the elliptic-curve signatures most chains use. A separate proof of stake network codenamed Zond has been in public beta since 2024 and is planned to follow once audits and testing complete.

Consensus: Proof of Work

QRL launched in 2018 as a proof of work chain where miners produce blocks roughly once a minute. Its defining feature is account security based on XMSS, a hash-based signature scheme standardized by the IETF, rather than the elliptic-curve signatures most chains use. A separate proof of stake network codenamed Zond has been in public beta since 2024 and is planned to follow once audits and testing complete.

XMSS signatures

A hash-based, forward-secure signature scheme used to authorize transactions. It relies on hash functions rather than the math that quantum computers are expected to break.

Quantum resistance

The cryptography is chosen to remain secure if large-scale quantum computers arrive, which could threaten elliptic-curve signatures used elsewhere.

OTS key tracking

XMSS uses one-time signature states, so wallets track which signing slots have been used to keep each key safe.

Project Zond

A proof of stake successor network in public beta that is intended to replace the original proof of work chain after auditing and stress testing.

Ecosystem & usage

What Quantum Resistant Ledger is used for.

QRL positions itself for long-term security rather than a wide smart contract ecosystem.

Long-horizon storage

Holding value on a chain whose account security is designed to survive future quantum computing.

Quantum-secure transfers

Sending QRL between accounts protected by XMSS signatures.

Token issuance

Creating digital tokens on a post-quantum base layer.

In Zypto App

Hold, swap and spend QRL.

Quantum Resistant Ledger is integrated in Zypto App. Hold QRL in self-custody, swap it to any supported asset, and use it across Zypto’s features.

Hold QRL in Zypto How to buy QRL

Be the reason Quantum Resistant Ledger ships next.

Quantum Resistant Ledger isn’t in Zypto App yet. Post the request to your followers, chains with the most demand get prioritised.

Request on X

FAQ

Common questions.

What is the Quantum Resistant Ledger?

QRL is a Layer 1 blockchain launched in 2018 that secures accounts with XMSS hash-based signatures intended to resist attacks from future quantum computers.

What makes QRL quantum resistant?

It uses XMSS signatures, which rely on hash functions rather than the elliptic-curve math that quantum computers are expected to be able to break.

What consensus does QRL use?

The original QRL network uses proof of work with blocks roughly every minute. A proof of stake network codenamed Zond has been in public beta since 2024.

What is Zond?

Zond is QRL’s proof of stake successor network, in public beta, planned to launch after audits and stress testing are complete.

Can I hold QRL in Zypto App?

Not yet. QRL isn't in Zypto App at the moment. You can hold it in any self-custodial wallet, and you can ask us to add Quantum Resistant Ledger using the "Request Quantum Resistant Ledger" button above.

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