Project Eleven, a post-quantum cryptography startup, has raised $6 million from Variant Fund, Quantonation, and top crypto VCs to develop the tools and standards needed to protect Bitcoin and the broader digital asset ecosystem from future quantum computing attacks. With over $600 billion in BTC potentially exposed, the project’s roadmap is now at the center of crypto’s security conversation. Why Quantum Threats Matter for Bitcoin—And Why Now Quantum computers are rapidly advancing, and experts warn that within a decade, machines could emerge that can break Bitcoin’s elliptic curve cryptography (ECC) using Shor’s algorithm. According to Project Eleven and YCharts, more than 10 million Bitcoin addresses with non-zero balances have already exposed their public keys, putting over 6 million BTC—worth about $648 billion—at theoretical risk if quantum computers reach “Q-Day” capabilities. “As quantum computing capabilities advance, the threat to systems like Bitcoin is no longer theoretical, it’s imminent. This funding allows us to stay ahead of that curve, building the tools, standards, and ecosystem required to ensure digital assets remain secure in a post-quantum world.” — Alex Pruden, CEO, Project Eleven Yellowpages and Migration Without a Hard Fork Project Eleven’s flagship product, Yellowpages , is a cryptographic registry designed to let users proactively secure their Bitcoin against quantum threats—without waiting for a network-wide protocol upgrade. Here’s how it works: Users generate a new, quantum-resistant key pair using post-quantum cryptography (such as lattice-based algorithms). They create a cryptographic proof linking their current Bitcoin address to the new quantum-safe address, without exposing sensitive information or moving funds on-chain. This proof is timestamped and registered in Yellowpages, an off-chain, publicly verifiable registry that acts as a fallback if quantum computers ever compromise Bitcoin’s existing keys. Yellowpages has already been audited by Cure 53, and Project Eleven is in discussions with Bitcoin Core developers about integrating post-quantum migration tools into future wallet software. Unlike proposals like QRAMP, which would require a hard fork and broad consensus, Yellowpages offers a way for users and institutions to migrate at their own pace—potentially sidestepping years of governance gridlock. What Miners, Wallets, and Exchanges Must Do The migration to post-quantum security is not just a technical challenge—it’s a community-wide coordination problem. Miners and exchanges will need to: Update wallet infrastructure to support quantum-resistant key generation and proof registration. Educate users about the risks of exposed public keys and the steps needed to secure their assets. Monitor for “Q-Day” signals and be ready to accelerate migration if quantum breakthroughs occur. Wallet providers, especially those serving institutions and high-net-worth clients, are expected to be the first to integrate Yellowpages and related tools. Exchanges may also require proof of quantum-safe migration for large withdrawals or cold storage. The $1 BTC Bounty and the Race to Q-Day To benchmark the quantum threat, Project Eleven has launched the Q-Day Prize —offering 1 BTC to the first team that can break a toy version of Bitcoin’s cryptography using Shor’s algorithm on a quantum computer. This challenge, running through April 2026, aims to provide real-world data on how close the quantum threat truly is and to incentivize researchers to stress-test existing defenses. What’s Next for Quantum-Resistant Crypto With $6 million in new funding, Project Eleven plans to expand its team, accelerate Yellowpages adoption, and develop additional standards for post-quantum security across digital assets. The company is also exploring quantum-resistant applications for secure messaging and decentralized communications. The broader crypto industry is watching closely. As quantum hardware advances, the pressure to migrate will only intensify. The next 2–5 years will be critical: those who prepare now could weather the quantum storm, while those who wait may find themselves locked out of their own wallets. The Bottom Line Project Eleven’s $6 million war chest marks a turning point in Bitcoin’s defense against quantum threats. With user-friendly migration tools, open-source audits, and a pragmatic approach to community adoption, the path to a quantum-resistant Bitcoin is finally coming into focus. The question is: will the ecosystem move fast enough?
