Naoris Protocol has officially launched its mainnet, introducing a layer-1 blockchain built with post-quantum cryptography at its core. The network is currently live with limited, invite-only participation, allowing early users to run validator nodes and process transactions. According to an announcement, it integrates cryptographic standards finalized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to address long-term security risks in existing blockchains, where current encryption methods could become vulnerable.
The protocol's test network processed more than 100 million transactions and identified hundreds of millions of potential threats before mainnet launch. The system uses a consensus model called distributed proof of security (dPoSec), and the NAORIS token is intended to support network operations. The rollout begins with a restricted group and is expected to expand in phases. The project is backed by investors including Draper Associates.
The launch coincides with revised, alarming estimates for the quantum computing threat. New research from Google Quantum AI, released on March 31, 2026, suggests quantum computers may need far fewer resources than previously thought to break blockchain encryption. The study found fewer than 500,000 physical qubits could crack systems securing Bitcoin (BTC) and Ether (ETH), a roughly 20-fold reduction from earlier estimates.
This points to a shorter timeline for quantum risk. Justin Drake, a researcher at the Ethereum Foundation, estimated at least a 10% chance a quantum computer could recover a private key by 2032. Separate research from the California Institute of Technology and Oratomic concluded that improvements in error correction could lower qubit requirements to 10,000–20,000, suggesting a viable quantum computer could emerge by around 2030.
In response, blockchain developers are accelerating post-quantum plans. In January, developers in the Solana ecosystem introduced a quantum-resistant vault. On March 24, developers from the Ethereum Foundation launched a "Post-Quantum Ethereum" resource hub, targeting protocol-level changes by 2029.
Concurrently, a Google Quantum AI paper has highlighted varying levels of quantum readiness among major blockchains. The paper ranked networks based on public-key exposure, key rotation support, upgrade flexibility, and transaction vulnerability windows. Algorand (ALGO) was ranked first for having already executed a quantum-resistant transaction in production. Cardano (ADA) placed second, benefiting from its eUTXO model which keeps spending keys hashed until funds are spent. Cardano was grouped in a structurally advantaged tier alongside Dogecoin (DOGE), Zcash (ZEC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH).
Networks like XRP Ledger (XRP), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin (BTC) were categorized as vulnerable but preparing. Ethereum (ETH) and Solana (SOL) landed in the broadest attack-surface category due to their consistently visible public keys, creating more opportunities for a future quantum attacker. The ranking emphasizes that quantum readiness is an architectural question, with Cardano now being recast as a chain built for the next security era.
