Naoris Protocol has gone live with its quantum-resistant blockchain mainnet, becoming the first Layer 1 network built entirely on post-quantum cryptography approved by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology — a milestone arriving as researchers shorten timelines for a threat that could compromise Bitcoin and Ethereum.

“Mainnet represents the transition from proof-of-concept to production infrastructure. The network has already validated over 100 million transactions using post-quantum cryptography. That is not a roadmap promise; it is measured, operational capacity,” said Nathaniel Szerezla, Chief Growth Officer of Naoris Protocol.

The Launch

The mainnet runs on NIST’s ML-DSA algorithm — the standardized version of CRYSTALS-Dilithium, published as FIPS 204 — for all transaction signatures. The system enforces an “irreversible security transition”: once a user adopts post-quantum keys, the protocol automatically blocks any subsequent transaction attempts using classical cryptographic methods.

The Quantum Insider confirmed that the launch is directly timed to accelerating regulatory pressure: Google published research in late March 2026 estimating that breaking Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography would require fewer than 500,000 qubits — far below previous estimates — while Ethereum co-founder Vitalik Buterin outlined a quantum migration plan in February 2026.

Why Timing Matters

NIST finalized its post-quantum cryptographic standards in August 2024. The European Commission has mandated member states begin national post-quantum strategies by 2026, with full migration required by 2035. The White House’s National Cybersecurity Strategy in March 2026 accelerated federal adoption of post-quantum cryptography.

Industry analysts have warned that approximately 4.5 million Bitcoin sit in addresses with exposed public keys, potentially vulnerable once quantum capability reaches the necessary threshold. Naoris Protocol’s CEO first outlined this threat model in detail, warning that “harvest now, decrypt later” attacks are already underway — meaning encrypted data is being collected today in anticipation of future decryption capability.

What the Network Offers

Naoris operates as a Sub-Zero Layer — infrastructure positioned beneath traditional L1 and L2 networks, designed to secure validators, wallets, exchanges, DeFi protocols, and cross-chain bridges. Users who move assets to Naoris receive quantum-resistant protection; assets remaining on classical chains stay exposed.

“Assets moved to Naoris become quantum-secure, while assets left on classical chains remain vulnerable. The earlier users migrate, the smaller their exposure window,” Szerezla told Decrypt. In September 2025, Naoris was cited in an SEC research submission as the reference model for the Post-Quantum Financial Infrastructure Framework (PQFIF).