Written by Abelian
This article will begin with a comprehensive recap of the Abelian, its mission, and its groundbreaking technologies, such as the Abelian Chain and the native cryptocurrency $ABEL. By doing so, we aim to provide a holistic view of the ecosystem, facilitating a deeper understanding of how QDAY fits into and enhances this robust, secure framework. This foundational knowledge is crucial for appreciating the innovative strides QDAY brings to the table and the overall vision of Abelian.
Abelian: Safeguarding the Digital Age
The Abelian Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, that actively participates the development of quantum-resistant blockchain technologies. Our primary objective is to shield users’ digital assets from the potential dual use of quantum computers.
The Foundation’s first initiative involved creating the Abelian Chain, an exemplary model of a Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) blockchain. This blockchain leverages Proof-of-Work (PoW) with GPU power to deliver robust, quantum-resistant security. The native cryptocurrency of this chain is $ABEL, functioning as a store of value and a payment application coin.
The Value Proposition of the Abelian Chain
The Abelian Chain offers quantum-resistant security to the blockchain ecosystem through innovative solutions like PQZK(Post-Quantum ZeroKnowledge) bridge and streamlined connections such as Rollups.
Both the Abelian Chain and its native cryptocurrency, $ABEL, are meticulously designed utilizing Lattice-based cryptography inspired by NIST-standardized Crystals-Kyber and also based on Crystals-Dilithium. This post-quantum cryptographic foundation is the cornerstone of Abelian’s robust quantum resistance.
For a comprehensive exploration of Abelian’s technical specifications, please refer to the official Abelian Whitepaper available here: [Abelian Whitepaper].
$ABEL: A Secure Store of Value for the Quantum Age
$ABEL, the native cryptocurrency of the Abelian Chain, serves a dual purpose.
Firstly, it functions as a secure store of value, similar to Bitcoin. However, $ABEL offers several advantages over its predecessor. Unlike Bitcoin, $ABEL leverages advanced cryptography to provide multi-tier privacy assurance, exceeding the privacy protections offered by traditional privacy coins such as Monero, ZCASH and DASH.
This enhanced privacy is crucial in the digital age, where users often seek greater control over their financial information.
For how Abelian Balancing the Privacy and Regulation in Cryptocurrency, please refer to the article:
Secondly, $ABEL serves as a payment application coin, particularly for networks utilizing Abelian’s PQZK bridge. This functionality expands the utility of $ABEL beyond simply a store of value.
A key advantage of $ABEL is its inherent quantum resistance. Bitcoin’s security is vulnerable to potential advancements in quantum computing. In contrast, $ABEL’s cryptographic foundation is specifically designed to be resistant to these future threats, ensuring the long-term security of user assets.
As the Abelian mining community grows, the supply of $ABEL is expected to become increasingly scarce due to built-in difficulty adjustments and halving events. This scarcity is a key factor in the anticipated value appreciation of $ABEL.
For a comprehensive exploration of Abelian’s tokenomics, please visit: [Abelian Tokenomics].
Design Considerations — The Blockchain Trilemma of Abelian
By design, Analogous to Bitcoin, $ABEL functions as a “Digital Gold 2.0,” specializing in value storage and payments. The continued application of PoW consensus and GPU mining ensure Decentralization features. At the same time, It offers enhanced features compared to Bitcoin, including quantum-resistant security and privacy benefits due to PQC encryption. However, the core design philosophy aligns with Bitcoin, precluding application building on the network.
While the Abelian Chain utilizes highly sophisticated, advanced code to integrate PQC seamlessly, it faces scalability limitations, currently exhibiting low transaction throughput (TPS) and extended block times.
Despite these limitations, the Abelian Chain remains committed to its core mission: safeguarding society in the quantum age, adhering to the principles outlined in the SEA (Safeguarding, Developing, Advancing) for responsible advancement in quantum innovation.
Introducing QDAY: Real-World PQC Applications
In the interim leading up from the Abelian mainnet launch, the market witnessed a surge in PQC adoption within consumer tech products like VPNs and email services. The Abelian Foundation swiftly recognized this market shift, where PQC transformed from a niche concept to a sought-after feature. Witnessing the PQC market’s maturation and consumer readiness is an exciting development.
This evolving consumer-centric PQC landscape spurred the Abelian Foundation to bridge the gap and make quantum-resistant technology more accessible to the general crypto user.
At the same time, to address the scalability issue, we need a L2 solution to complete the entire ecosystem of Abelian.
Thus, QDAY was born.
QDAY: A User-Friendly Bridge to PQC
QDAY’s purpose is straightforward: to empower users with real-world applications that provide quantum-resistant security through a PQC blockchain, ultimately fostering widespread adoption of this new cryptographic standard.
QDAY serves as an EVM-compatible Layer 2 chain built upon Abelian. This strategic design allows QDAY to leverage Abelian’s inherent quantum-resistant security and PoW features. By introducing real-world use cases where users can interact with dApps offering this advanced security — functioning seamlessly just like any existing dApp — QDAY aims to dismantle the barrier between PQC and blockchain, fostering dialogue regarding quantum innovations in this space.
The QDAY platform will offer a diverse range of Ethereum-based applications, including token systems, data feeds, Decentralized Finance (DeFi), Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), and more. Furthermore, the Abelian Foundation anticipates that PQC will reduce entry barriers for non-crypto users apprehensive about the security of their digital assets against potential quantum computer hacks. Ultimately, Abelian aspires to deliver tangible value to the ever-expanding blockchain ecosystem.
Strategic Advantages of EVM Compatibility for QDAY
EVM compatibility refers to the ability of a blockchain to run smart contracts and decentralized applications (dApps) that are compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). The EVM is the runtime environment for Ethereum smart contracts, providing the necessary infrastructure for executing code in a decentralized manner.
Below are the strategic advantages for QDAY in achieving EVM compatibility:
- Leveraging the Ethereum Ecosystem: Adherence to the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) protocol presents a strategic advantage for Abelian’s $QDAY platform. EVM compatibility fosters seamless integration with the vast and established Ethereum ecosystem. This ecosystem boasts a significant user base, a wellspring of experienced developers, and numerous businesses already adept in its technology. By capitalizing on the existing trust and familiarity within the Ethereum community, EVM compatibility accelerates the adoption of $QDAY.
- Interoperability and Efficiency: EVM compatibility empowers Abelian to interact seamlessly with other Ethereum-based projects and networks. This fosters a robust and interconnected blockchain ecosystem, ultimately enhancing the utility and reach of Abelian’s offerings. Supporting EVM grants Abelian the ability to leverage existing Ethereum infrastructure and development tools such as Truffle, Hardhat, MetaMask, and Uniswap. This significantly reduces the time and resources required to build new tools from scratch, allowing the development team to focus on creating QDAY’s unique features.
- Lowering the Barrier to Entry for Developers: EVM compatibility eases the transition for developers with Ethereum experience to build on Abelian. This fosters a more vibrant development community, encouraging further contributions and innovations within the platform. Additionally, established Ethereum smart contracts can be deployed on Abelian with minimal modifications. This grants users immediate access to a diverse range of decentralized applications and protocols, accelerating adoption and deployment. The rapid adoption and deployment of these existing smart contracts will significantly raise awareness and understanding of quantum-resistant technologies. This widespread exposure will help demystify Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and make it a mainstream concern within the blockchain community.
Technical Considerations
Why Abelian Opted for a Rollup Layer 2 over a Sidechain
Sidechains and rollups employ different methods for scaling and come with distinct design choices and trade-offs. A sidechain functions like a mini-mainnet, typically offering fewer features. The primary distinction between a Layer 2 solution and a sidechain is their reliance on the main network. A sidechain is linked to the parent blockchain through a two-way peg, enabling the transfer of assets between the parent chain and the sidechain. During this transfer, assets are locked on the parent chain, and an equivalent amount is created on the sidechain. This process is reversed when assets are moved back to the parent chain. Unlike Layer 2 solutions, which require an underlying protocol, sidechains can operate independently without the main network.
QDAY by definition, is a layer 2 that relies on the layer 1, Abelian for Quantum-resistant PoW security.
While both rollups and sidechains offer solutions to blockchain scalability challenges, Abelian selected a rollup solution for $QDAY due to several key considerations:
- Enhanced Security: Rollups inherit the security of the underlying Abelian chain, which utilizes quantum-resistant Proof-of-Work (PoW) for robust security. In contrast, sidechains operate independently and require establishing their own security measures.
- Decentralization Guaranteed: Rollups store transaction data on the Abelian chain, ensuring transparency and immutability. Sidechains might require additional mechanisms to guarantee the same level of decentralization.
- Improved Transaction Efficiency: Rollups offer faster transaction processing compared to sidechains by batching transactions and submitting them to the main chain periodically.
- Interoperability with the Ethereum Ecosystem: Since $QDAY is an EVM-compatible Layer 2 built on Abelian, it leverages the existing Ethereum developer ecosystem and tools, accelerating development and adoption. Sidechains typically have less interoperability with other blockchains.
- Streamlined Developer Experience: Abelian’s experience with advanced technology for $ABEL’s privacy features translates well to rollups. Additionally, the open-source nature and collaborative developer community surrounding rollups provide further advantages.
- Seamless Connection and Staking: Rollups offer a seamless connection between L1 native token $ABEL and L2 token $QDAY. Through the rollup, we enable $ABEL staking, and this is the way to mint $QDAY tokens on the Mainnet once it becomes available.
- Future-Proofing for Quantum Resistance: Abelian plans to migrate from rollups to PQZK rollups, incorporating post-quantum cryptography for enhanced security against future advancements in quantum computing. Sidechains would require a more complex overhaul to achieve quantum resistance.
In conclusion, rollups provide a more secure, efficient, and developer-friendly solution for scaling QDAY while maintaining decentralization and interoperability within the Ethereum ecosystem. This approach aligns with Abelian’s commitment to building a future-proof, quantum-resistant blockchain platform.
A Hybrid Consensus Mechanism Selection
The Abelian Foundation opted against a hard fork for the implementation of its Proof of Stake over Proof of Work (PoS-over-PoW or PoP) consensus mechanism. While a hard fork would have been a simpler approach from a development and communication standpoint, potential technical hurdles were identified.
Specifically, concerns arose regarding the potential incompatibility between the Abelian Chain’s Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) and the operation of a dual consensus mechanism. Additionally, the maturing market for PQC consumer products necessitated a timeline that a hard fork deployment might not have met. The chosen PoS-over-PoW approach offers a more efficient and scalable solution while preserving the established security of Proof of Work.
Quantum-Resistant Security on QDAY
The QDAY testnet prioritizes robust security against potential threats from quantum computers. This is achieved through a multi-layered approach:
- Wallet Address Protection: All $QDAY wallet addresses will be shielded from quantum attacks.
- POS Consensus Security: The underlying Proof-of-Stake (PoS) consensus protocol is also quantum-resistant, ensuring a secure and decentralized network.
- Transaction Security with SHA-256: The majority of transaction data, including the core structure, leverages the well-established SHA-256 hashing algorithm, which remains secure against quantum computing threats.
However, a small portion of the transaction data, specifically digital signatures and private keys, will rely on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC). While ECC offers strong security in the present, it may be vulnerable to future advancements in quantum computing.
Addressing the ECC Challenge:
The Abelian team acknowledges this potential vulnerability and is committed to achieving complete quantum resistance. The early release of the QDAY testnet serves a strategic purpose. It allows the team to:
- Secure Early Adopters: Provide a robust foundation for early adopters of post-quantum cryptography (PQC) solutions.
- Gather Real-World Data: Utilize real-world observations and user feedback to refine and enhance the platform’s security posture.
- Future-Proofing with PQZK Bridges: The team plans to leverage the Abelian Layer 1 network’s PQZK bridge technology to achieve complete quantum resistance for digital signatures and private keys in the future. This comprehensive approach ensures the long-term security of user assets on the QDAY platform.
This multi-phased strategy demonstrates the Abelian team’s proactive commitment to safeguarding user data and remaining at the forefront of quantum-resistant blockchain development.
Conclusion: A Quantum-Resistant Future
The Abelian Foundation stands at the forefront of safeguarding the digital age. The Foundation’s unwavering commitment to developing and implementing quantum-resistant blockchain technologies positions them as a leader in this critical arena. The Abelian Chain serves as a pioneering model, offering unparalleled Decentralization and Security against the potential threats posed by quantum computers. While the Abelian Chain excels in its core function, its design limitations restrict its application for building decentralized applications.
As a completed ecosystem, the Abelian Foundation strategically introduced QDAY — a user-friendly bridge to PQC. Built as an EVM-compatible Layer 2 chain on top of Abelian, $QDAY empowers users with real-world applications that leverage the robust security of the Abelian Chain and the Scalability of the EVM mechanism . This strategic design fosters seamless integration with the vast Ethereum ecosystem, accelerating adoption and fostering innovation within the PQC landscape.
The future of blockchain hinges on its ability to adapt and evolve in the face of fast-changing landscape of technology. The Abelian Foundation, through its unwavering commitment to quantum resistance, paves the way for a secure and thriving digital future. By offering a comprehensive suite of solutions, including the Abelian Chain, $ABEL cryptocurrency, and the user-centric QDAY platform, Abelian empowers developers and users to confidently navigate the ever-changing digital landscape.
Sources
- Ethereum Whitepaper — Applications
- LeewayHertz — Layer 2 Chain vs Side Chain vs App Chain
- Infura Blog — Sidechains vs Rollups: Breaking Down the Differences for Dapp Development
- Finextra Blog — Blockchain and the Scalability Challenge: Solving the Blockchain Trilemma
- Trail of Bits Blog — Quantum is Unimportant to Post-Quantum
- Abelian Whitepaper
- Bitcoin Whitepaper
About Abelian
Abelian is a quantum-resistant blockchain infrastructure which enables digital gold 2.0 and empowers the post-quantum crypto ecosystem. Learn more about the quantum-resistant Abelian blockchain & $ABEL Tokenomics at our documentation page.
Abelian welcomes all feedback regarding tech developments and upcoming changes. To join the conversation, please visit us on our various social media and community channels linked on our linktree👇
