qONE: A Quantum-Resistant Web3 Security Protocol

What is qONE

Friends, imagine the bank safety deposit boxes we use today—their locks are extremely sturdy, using the most advanced cryptography. But one day, a super-powerful “master key” appears, able to instantly crack all these locks. Sounds scary, right? In the blockchain world, this “master key” is the potentially emerging “quantum computer.” Many of the cryptographic techniques we use today could become vulnerable in the face of quantum computers—this is known as the “quantum crisis” or “Q-Day.”

The qONE project is like building a “quantum-safe lock” and an “upgrade toolkit” for our current blockchain assets. It’s not about building a new bank, but rather adding an extra, especially robust quantum-safe lock to the existing banks (such as Ethereum, Solana, etc.). This way, even if quantum computers really do arrive in the future, our digital assets will remain protected.

Specifically, qONE is a quantum-resistant token, and also the ecosystem token behind the qONE Security Protocol. Its main goal is to provide quantum-attack resistance for existing blockchain systems, without requiring users to move their assets to an entirely new blockchain.

Project Vision and Value Proposition

The vision of the qONE project is very clear: to protect the Web3 world from quantum threats. It aims to prepare the digital asset ecosystem before “Q-Day” arrives, ensuring the long-term security and resilience of blockchains.

Its core value proposition includes:

• Addressing the imminent quantum crisis: Most blockchains today rely on traditional public-key cryptography, such as the Elliptic Curve Digital Signature Algorithm (ECDSA), which is vulnerable to quantum computers. qONE aims to address this systemic risk by introducing quantum-resistant technology.
• Non-intrusive upgrade: Unlike many projects proposing to build entirely new quantum-resistant blockchains, qONE takes an “overlay” approach. It adds a quantum-resistant layer on top of existing blockchains (like Ethereum, Solana, Hyperliquid), meaning users don’t need to migrate assets or change their wallet addresses to gain extra security. It’s like upgrading your old phone with super-strong security software, rather than making you buy a new phone.
• Focus on security: While many blockchain projects focus on speed and scalability, qONE’s core emphasis is on security, especially security against quantum threats.

Compared to similar projects, qONE’s differentiator is its “quantum-native” design philosophy and compatibility with existing blockchains. It doesn’t build a new chain from scratch, but instead enhances the security of existing networks by providing a quantum-resistant signature layer.

Technical Features

The technical core of qONE lies in its qONE Security Protocol, which combines several advanced technologies to provide quantum resistance:

• Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC): These are cryptographic algorithms that remain secure even after quantum computers emerge. qONE adopts PQC algorithms standardized by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), such as ML-KEM and ML-DSA. You can think of PQC as a brand-new, more complex lock that even the “master key” can’t easily open.
• Zero-Knowledge Proofs (ZKPs): This is a magical cryptographic technique that allows one party (the prover) to prove to another party (the verifier) that a statement is true, without revealing any additional information. In qONE, ZKPs are used to efficiently verify quantum-resistant transactions while maintaining privacy and efficiency. Imagine proving to customs that you’re of legal age, but without showing your ID—just by going through a special verification process.
• Layered Architecture: The qONE Security Protocol operates as a quantum-resistant cryptographic layer on top of existing blockchains. This means it doesn’t change the way the underlying blockchain works, but provides protection by adding an extra security layer on top.
• Hybrid Cryptography: To ensure backward compatibility, qONE may also use hybrid cryptography, i.e., using both traditional and post-quantum cryptography for a smooth transition.
• IronCAP™ Engine: qONE’s underlying technology is supported by 01 Quantum Inc., which owns the NIST-approved, US-patented post-quantum encryption technology IronCAP™ engine. This engine is already used by some large enterprises, indicating its maturity and reliability.

Tokenomics

Token Symbol: QONE or $qONE

Issuing Chain: Initially to be issued on Hyperliquid’s HyperEVM chain, meaning it is interoperable with Ethereum and other EVM-compatible networks.

Total Supply and Issuance Mechanism: qONE has a fixed supply of 1 billion, meaning there will be no inflation and no subsequent changes to tokenomics.

Token Utility: $qONE is the native utility token of the qONE Security Protocol, with main uses including:

• Protocol Access: As a credential to access the qONE Security Protocol, users may need to hold or use qONE to utilize its quantum-resistant security services.
• Transaction Fee Payment: qONE may be required as a means of payment for quantum-secure transactions within the protocol.
• Staking: Holders can stake qONE to support network security and operations, and may receive rewards.
• Governance: As an ecosystem token, qONE may also be used for decentralized governance, allowing token holders to vote on the project’s future direction.

Token Distribution and Unlocking Information:

• The project held a presale on February 5, 2026. For the public round, allocation is 100% unlocked at the Token Generation Event (TGE). The community round unlocks 15% at TGE, with the remainder linearly unlocked over 12 months.
• Presale registration demand was very high, indicating strong market interest in the project.

Team, Governance, and Funding

• Core Team: The qONE project is developed and launched by the qLABS Foundation. qLABS claims to be the first “quantum-native” crypto foundation, focused on building blockchain solutions to defend against future quantum computer threats.
• Team Characteristics: The qLABS team has over 30 years of combined experience in the field of post-quantum cryptography (PQC).
• Key Partners: qLABS has established a foundational partnership with 01 Quantum Inc. 01 Quantum Inc. is a publicly listed company (TSXV: ONE | OTCQB: OONEF), focused on providing enterprise-grade cybersecurity solutions for the quantum computing era, with expertise in post-quantum solutions. Andrew Cheung, CEO of 01 Quantum and CTO of qLABS, is a key figure in the team.
• Governance Mechanism: While specific details have not been fully disclosed, the tokenomics mention that qONE will be used for “governance,” which typically means token holders can participate in project decisions via voting.
• Funding: The project raised funds through a presale; for example, reports indicate presale registration demand reached $13 million, while allocation was relatively limited, showing its popularity.

Roadmap

Below are some key milestones and future plans for the qONE project:

• February 5, 2026: qONE token presale launch.
• Q1 2026: Launch of the Quantum-Sig smart contract wallet. This wallet will embed post-quantum cryptography for secure asset storage and transactions.
• 2026: Plans to launch Quantum Multisig tools for institutional-grade custody, and q-Sig API integration for DeFi protocols.
• Future Plans: qLABS aims to protect the top 2% of smart contract assets by 2028, representing a potential $2 billion market.

Common Risk Reminders

While qONE aims to address the major risk of quantum threats, any crypto project comes with inherent risks. Here are some common risk reminders:

• Technical and Security Risks:
  • Unknown vulnerabilities: Even with the most advanced cryptography, there is no guarantee of 100% absence of unknown technical flaws or implementation errors.
  • Uncertainty in quantum computing development: While “Q-Day” is considered inevitable, the exact arrival time is still debated. If quantum computing develops slower than expected, the project’s urgency may decrease.
  • Compatibility risks: Integration with existing blockchains may face compatibility challenges or unexpected issues.
• Economic Risks:
  • Market volatility: The crypto market is highly volatile; the price of qONE tokens may be affected by market sentiment, macroeconomic factors, and competition.
  • Competition risk: Other projects are also researching quantum-resistant solutions, and market competition may intensify.
  • Adoption risk: If existing blockchains or users do not widely adopt qONE’s solution, its value proposition may be limited.
• Compliance and Operational Risks:
  • Regulatory uncertainty: The global crypto regulatory environment is constantly evolving, and future policies may impact project operations.
  • Centralization risk: Although the project aims for decentralization, there may be some degree of centralization risk in the early stages.

Please note: The above information is for reference only and does not constitute any investment advice. Always do your own research (DYOR) and consult a professional financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Verification Checklist

• Block Explorer Contract Address: Current information shows qONE will be issued on Hyperliquid’s HyperEVM chain. Users can check the contract address via Hyperliquid’s block explorer.
• GitHub Activity: The project mentions developer toolkits (SDKs and APIs), which usually means there will be related code repositories. It is recommended to check the official GitHub repositories of qLABS or 01 Quantum to assess code update frequency and community contributions.
• NIST Standardization: The project claims to use NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms, which is an important basis for its technical reliability. You can refer to official NIST documents for verification.
• Audit Reports: The project states its technology is “audited.” It is recommended to review officially published audit reports to understand its security and code quality.
• Patent Information: The project mentions owning US-patented post-quantum encryption technology IronCAP™ engine. You can check relevant patent databases for verification.
• Official Website and Social Media: Visit qONE’s official website (e.g., qonetoken.io) and official X (Twitter) account (e.g., @qlabsofficial) for the latest information and community updates.

Project Summary

The qONE project is led by the qLABS Foundation in collaboration with publicly listed company 01 Quantum Inc., aiming to provide existing blockchain ecosystems with the ability to resist future quantum computer attacks through its qONE Security Protocol and $qONE token. It adopts a unique “overlay” approach, combining NIST-standardized post-quantum cryptographic algorithms and zero-knowledge proofs, striving to enhance security without altering existing blockchain infrastructure. The $qONE token, as the core of the ecosystem, will be used for protocol access, fee payments, staking, and governance.

The project held a token presale in February 2026 and plans to launch quantum-secure wallets and multisig tools in the future, gradually building a quantum-secure Web3 environment. Its core strengths lie in its “quantum-native” design, compatibility with existing blockchains, and support from a team with patented technology. However, like all crypto projects, qONE also faces technical, market, and regulatory risks.

Overall, qONE offers a potential solution to the growing quantum threat in the blockchain space. For participants concerned with the long-term security of blockchains and the impact of quantum computing, this is a project worth watching. For more details, please conduct your own research.