BOLTS Technologies, a cybersecurity firm specializing in crypto-agile and cipher-neutral infrastructure, has launched a pilot program on the Canton Network — a public, permissionless blockchain designed for institutional finance. Canton Network processes over $4 trillion in monthly repo transactions and hosts more than $6 trillion in on-chain real-world assets (RWA).
QFlex: Transaction-Level Cryptographic Agility
The pilot tests QFlex, BOLTS' quantum-resilient software, for providing quantum-resistant transaction assurance on Canton Network. Built on the Structured Data Folding with Transmutations (SDFT) protocol, QFlex delivers cryptographic agility at the transaction level — each asset owner can respond to new threats in real time on their next transaction, unlike static or hybrid-algo solutions. This directly addresses the multi-faceted complexities of Q-Day, when a cryptographically relevant quantum computer (CRQC) arrives and undermines current Internet security via Shor's algorithm.
Regulatory Push and Industry Endorsement
Following the EU's introduction of PQS 2030, flexible support for post-quantum cryptography (PQC) has become a priority for Canton Network. Bernhard Elsner, Chief Product Officer at Digital Asset, stated: "We're excited to explore QFlex's promise of allowing sub-networks to enable flexible, user-controlled use of a wide range of cutting-edge cryptographic algorithms without code-changes. This would further strengthen the Canton Network's cryptographic agility and position it well to seamlessly support stakeholders adopting rules like DLT 2030 and beyond."
Yoon Auh, CEO of BOLTS, affirmed: "QFlex gives assurance to the industry that Q-Day fears can be overcome efficiently today, with a clear path to becoming quantum-ready. The industry can no longer delay this, given the trillions of dollars in institutional digital assets at stake. With Canton Network supporting over $6 trillion in on-chain real-world assets, this pilot will have a significant impact on the industry."
Proven Technology and Government Backing
QFlex builds on secure data-centric technologies originally developed by its sister company NUTS Technologies. It has won multiple grants from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the United States Air Force, and the United States Navy for advanced cryptographic technologies. SDFT/NUTS holds more than 30 international patents.