What is Qtum (QTUM)?

Deep Dive

1. Purpose & Value Proposition

Qtum aims to bridge Bitcoin’s battle-tested security and Ethereum’s smart contract capabilities, targeting enterprise-grade dApps. Its hybrid design addresses scalability and energy efficiency while maintaining decentralization. Recent developments include a planned Ethereum bridge (Qtum) and native stablecoin initiatives to enhance DeFi utility.

2. Technology & Architecture

Qtum uses Bitcoin’s Unspent Transaction Output (UTXO) model for secure transaction handling and Ethereum’s Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) for executing smart contracts. This allows developers to write contracts in Solidity while benefiting from Bitcoin’s security. The network operates on Proof-of-Stake, enabling users to stake QTUM tokens directly or delegate to “Super Stakers” without locking funds. Block times average 32 seconds, with a theoretical throughput of 1,100 TPS on Layer 1.

3. Key Differentiators

Unlike Ethereum’s account-based model or Bitcoin’s limited scripting, Qtum’s UTXO-EVM hybrid supports multi-token ecosystems (QRC-20, NFTs) and cross-chain compatibility. Its decentralized governance allows on-chain protocol upgrades, and recent integrations of Bitcoin Core 29.1 and Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade (Qtum) ensure it stays aligned with foundational blockchain innovations.

Conclusion

Qtum positions itself as a versatile platform balancing security, scalability, and smart contract utility. By integrating upgrades from Bitcoin and Ethereum, it aims to remain a “future-proof” blockchain. How will its upcoming Ethereum bridge and native stablecoin shape adoption in a competitive Layer 1 landscape?