Qtum is a decentralised blockchain network designed to combine the security and UTXO model of Bitcoin with the smart contract capabilities of Ethereum's Virtual Machine (EVM). It aims to provide a scalable and energy-efficient platform for building applications and executing smart contracts. Qtum achieves this by merging the best features of Bitcoin and Ethereum, offering a hybrid platform suitable for smart contracts and decentralised applications .
Qtum utilises a hybrid blockchain architecture that integrates Bitcoin's UTXO model with Ethereum's EVM through a technology called Account Abstraction Layer (AAL). This structure allows Qtum to support smart contracts and decentralised applications while maintaining high security and efficient transaction handling. Qtum operates on a Proof of Stake (PoS) consensus mechanism, which encourages decentralisation, minimises energy consumption, and reduces the reliance on physical mining hardware .
Qtum supports a wide array of potential use cases across various sectors:
Qtum was founded in 2016 by Patrick Dai, Jordan Earls, and Neil Mahi. It conducted its Initial Coin Offering (ICO) in March 2017, raising significant funds in BTC and ETH. The main network was launched on September 13, 2017. Over the years, Qtum has undergone several updates, including the major Qtum 2.0 upgrade in 2019, introducing features such as offline staking and confidential assets. The platform is backed by a global community of developers and significant venture capital support .