QRL Launches Post-Quantum Smart Contract Testnet Ahead of 2.0 Mainnet

ZUG, Switzerland — March 31, 2026 — The Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) today launched QRL 2.0 Testnet V2, a public proof-of-stake Layer 1 blockchain network built on post-quantum cryptographic standards. The release introduces Hyperion, a post-quantum smart contract language derived from Solidity, and the Quantum Resistant Virtual Machine (QRVM), an EVM-friendly execution environment forked from the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The launch marks the final stage of a code freeze, with minimal breaking changes expected before the network’s 2.0 mainnet release.

QRL 2.0 supersedes QRL 1.x, the project’s original proof-of-work network, which did not support smart contracts. With Testnet V2 now live, developers can deploy smart contracts to the network.

Background: Why Post-Quantum Cryptography on a Blockchain

The majority of existing blockchain infrastructure secures digital assets using public-key cryptographic schemes, primarily elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), that a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) could compromise. The scale of that exposure is significant. More than $2 trillion in digital assets currently rely on cryptographic schemes that are considered vulnerable to a sufficiently powerful quantum computer.

The timeline for that threat has grown less theoretical in recent years. In December 2024, Google’s Willow processor demonstrated below-threshold quantum error correction for the first time. IonQ’s published roadmap projects a CRQC as early as 2028. In a research paper published March 30, 2026, Google warned that cryptographic migrations need to begin without delay. Asset managers including BlackRock have flagged quantum computing as a material security threat to Bitcoin.

QRL 2.0 is designed to address that vulnerability. Built on a proof-of-stake foundation with EVM-compatible smart contract support, the network targets developers and institutions already operating within the Ethereum ecosystem. Because most valid Solidity code is also valid Hyperion, the modifications required to adapt existing Ethereum tooling are minimal. QRL’s development has been underway since a public devnet pre-release in 2022, followed by a beta testnet in 2024, Testnet V1 in 2025 and now Testnet V2 in 2026, with an independent security audit currently in progress.

What QRL 2.0 Testnet V2 Delivers

QRL 2.0 Testnet V2 introduces two core components for smart contract development: Hyperion and the QRVM. Hyperion is a post-quantum smart contract language in which most valid Solidity code is also valid Hyperion, with additional cryptographic primitives layered on top. The QRVM is an EVM-friendly execution environment forked from the EVM that runs Hyperion contracts. Developers will need QRL-specific tooling to compile and deploy Hyperion contracts, though the modifications required to adapt existing Ethereum tooling are minimal.

Key technical attributes of the release include:

• Hyperion smart contract language: A post-quantum superset of Solidity in which most valid Solidity code is also valid Hyperion, extended with NIST-approved post-quantum cryptographic primitives.
• QRVM: An EVM-friendly execution environment forked from the EVM, designed to execute Hyperion smart contracts.
• QRL-specific developer tooling: Developers will need QRL-adapted tooling to compile and deploy Hyperion contracts. The modifications to existing Ethereum tooling are minimal, and Hyperion is open source.
• Post-quantum cryptography: The network’s cryptographic layer is built on NIST-approved post-quantum standards.
• Code freeze status: Tail end of a code-freeze. Minimal breaking changes are expected towards the network’s 2.0 mainnet launch.
• Proof-of-stake consensus: Users can begin staking QRL on the testnet immediately.
• Decentralized migration path: Holders of QRL 1.x tokens will migrate to QRL 2.0 through a smart contract-based process, removing reliance on a centralized migration mechanism.

QRL 1.x underwent two independent security audits conducted by Red4Sec and X41 D-Sec. QRL 2.0 is undergoing an independent security audit by multiple auditors. Mainnet launch is contingent on the successful completion of those audits.

Following the Testnet V2 launch, QRL’s development team will continue expanding network tooling in preparation for mainnet launch.

Resources

Developers can access QRL 2.0 Testnet V2 today by reading our documentation at https://test-zond.theqrl.org. While the network is being stress tested and audited by external auditors, we’ll be putting together beginner-friendly documentation to help everyone get involved.

About the Quantum Resistant Ledger

The Quantum Resistant Ledger (QRL) is a public blockchain platform designed to resist both current cryptographic attacks and future threats posed by quantum computers. The project began development in 2016 and launched its first mainnet in 2018. QRL 2.0 extends that foundation with proof-of-stake consensus, EVM-friendly smart contract support and post-quantum cryptographic primitives standardized by NIST.