# Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) Whitepaper Content type: Research Paper Summary: The Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) whitepaper outlines the design philosophy and technical implementation of a blockchain built from the ground up to be quantum-safe. The project utilizes the eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme (XMSS), a post-quantum signature scheme based on hash-based functions, to sign transactions. By moving away from elliptical curve cryptography entirely, QRL ensures that private keys remain secure against even the most powerful prospective quantum computers. The whitepaper d Key concepts: Peter Waterland, whitepaper, hash-based, qrl, quantum-resistant, xmss
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Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) Whitepaper

Peter Waterland

Project WhitepaperJanuary 2016

Abstract

The Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) whitepaper outlines the design philosophy and technical implementation of a blockchain built from the ground up to be quantum-safe. The project utilizes the eXtended Merkle Signature Scheme (XMSS), a post-quantum signature scheme based on hash-based functions, to sign transactions. By moving away from elliptical curve cryptography entirely, QRL ensures that private keys remain secure against even the most powerful prospective quantum computers. The whitepaper details the architectural decisions required to handle stateful signatures, including address generation, signature verification performance, and the storage of large Merkle tree data. It offers a blueprint for how a decentralized network can achieve full quantum resistance without sacrificing the fundamental tenets of blockchain, such as immutability and transparent ledger maintenance.

Key Findings

  • 1Hash-based signatures like XMSS provide provable quantum security.
  • 2Stateful signature management requires specialized handling for wallet addresses.
  • 3Abandoning ECC in favor of hash-based primitives offers long-term, future-proof security.
  • 4The ledger architecture is optimized specifically for quantum-safe cryptographic primitives.

Topics

whitepaperhash-basedqrlquantum-resistantxmss
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Citation

Peter Waterland (2016). Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) Whitepaper. Project Whitepaper. https://www.theqrl.org/whitepaper.pdf

BibTeX

@misc{quantumresistant2016,
  title = {Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) Whitepaper},
  author = {Peter Waterland},
  year = {2016},
  howpublished = {\url{https://www.theqrl.org/whitepaper.pdf}},
}

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