What is Qtum (QTUM)? A Proof-of-Stake Smart Contract Chain

Qtum (QTUM) is a Proof-of-Stake (PoS) blockchain that executes Ethereum-style smart contracts on a Bitcoin transaction model, with QTUM being the coin used for transaction fees and maintaining security. This chain began operations in September 2017, and the development team continues to provide updates as of late October 2026. Anyone holding QTUM can participate in staking to help generate blocks.

Almost all of the currently circulating QTUM was generated during the first 40 minutes of mining after the chain went live. One hundred million coins were created in the initial block in September 2017, which accounts for about 94% of the supply as of early November 2026. The remainder was added through staking over a period of nine years. After two halving events, the new issuance has become very minimal, and there is almost no dilution for existing holders.

Basic Information about Qtum (QTUM)

|---------------------|--------------------------------------------| | Item | Details | | Overview | PoS (Proof-of-Stake) smart contract-enabled blockchain | | Launch | September 2017 | | Supply as of early November 2026 | Approximately 106.14 million QTUM | | Amount generated in the first 5,000 blocks | 100 million QTUM (about 94%) | | Block reward | 0.25 QTUM after the halving in November 2025 | | Block generation time | 32 seconds since April 2021 | | Trading on Phemex | Spot and futures pairs delisted in July and August 2026 |

What is Qtum Cryptocurrency?

Qtum's own code repository states that it is a blockchain built on the Bitcoin UTXO model and supports smart contracts written for the Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM). UTXO stands for Unspent Transaction Output, referring to the fragments of coins left after payments, similar to bills and coins in a wallet.

The EVM is the engine that executes contracts on Ethereum. Many codes written for Ethereum can be deployed on Qtum without a special compiler. The project refers to the part that connects these two halves as the Account Abstraction Layer, which is software that allows the EVM to operate on Qtum's Bitcoin-like ledger.

The network still operates with a dual-structured design of a Bitcoin-like ledger and Ethereum-style smart contracts. Since 2017, block rewards have been reduced, block generation has accelerated, and EVM rules have been updated in line with Ethereum upgrades.

What Does Qtum Blockchain Do?

Qtum executes smart contracts. Smart contracts exist on the chain and are executed when someone sends a transaction. Payments for this processing are made as gas fees in QTUM. Staking participants who generate blocks receive these fees in addition to block rewards.

Tokens on Qtum adhere to the QRC20 standard. According to the project's documentation, this is fundamentally the same as the ERC-20 standard used on the Ethereum network. Developers familiar with Solidity, Ethereum's primary contract language, can write code for Qtum without learning a new language.

The project's Qtum Core wallet supports sending and receiving QTUM and QRC20 tokens, as well as staking and operating full nodes.

Some network settings can be changed without a fork. According to the repository, the Decentralized Governance Protocol allows parameters such as block size and gas prices to be adjusted directly on the chain. This means fee settings can be changed without requiring all node operators to install new software.

How Does the Qtum Blockchain Work?

Qtum selects the entities that add each block through Proof of Stake (PoS). Coins staked by holders act like lottery tickets, making wallets that stake more QTUM more likely to win blocks. According to the project, there is no minimum amount set, and operating a masternode is not required. Blocks are generated approximately every 32 seconds. This interval was set in code when the traditional target of 128 seconds was reduced to a quarter in April 2021.

There is no need to keep your wallet online for staking. Since August 2020, the chain has supported offline staking. Qtum's offline staking guide explains how to delegate an address to a node called Super Staker and pay fees in return. The guide states that this mechanism is non-custodial, meaning users retain full control over their coins and private keys.

Coins require a maturation period before they can be staked. The guide sets this waiting time at 2,000 confirmations. At a block time of 32 seconds, this equates to just under 18 hours.

The EVM side follows Ethereum. The code activates the rules for Ethereum upgrades at fixed block heights, including the London upgrade from July 2022. Therefore, contracts created for Ethereum operate under familiar rules on Qtum.

QTUM Tokenomics: Where 106.14 Million Coins Come From

The code specifies that 20,000 QTUM was paid for each of the first 5,000 blocks of the chain. In Qtum's chain settings, these are the only Proof-of-Work blocks recognized by the network. This means that of the 106.14 million QTUM existing as of early November 2026, 100 million were born from the first 5,000 blocks mined in about 40 minutes on September 8, 2017.

|-----------------------|----------------|---------------| | Period | Reward per Block | QTUM Generated | | Blocks 1-5,000 (September 2017) | 20,000 QTUM | 100,000,000 | | September 2017 - April 2021 | 4 QTUM | 3,359,996 | | April 2021 - December 2021 | 1 QTUM | 582,004 | | December 2021 - November 2025 | 0.5 QTUM | 1,971,000 | | November 2025 - early November 2026 | 0.25 QTUM | 228,255.25 | | Total | 106,141,255.25 |

This number is the total accumulated from the rewards set by the code for each block until early November 2026.

After block 5,000, staking took over. Each block was rewarded with 4 QTUM until April 2021, after which the frequency of block generation quadrupled, reducing the reward to 1 QTUM (while the daily issuance remained the same). The first halving occurred in December 2021, and the second in November 2025.

Additional issuance through staking is 0.25 QTUM per block, which is about 0.23% of the total supply annually. At a pace of 32 seconds per block, approximately 246,000 coins are added each year, shared among all staking participants.

The code halves the rewards every 3.94 million blocks, reaching zero at the seventh halving. This caps the supply at approximately 107.82 million QTUM, with about 98.4% already issued. There are about 3 million blocks remaining until the next halving, which is expected to occur around the end of 2029 based on the block generation pace in early November 2026, although this estimate may vary due to fluctuations in block time.

Is Qtum Development Still Ongoing?

Yes. Following the v30.2 release in July 2026, the Qtum Core v30.3 was released in late October 2026. According to the v30.3 release notes, the accuracy of receipt data and event log data for some QRC20 token transactions has improved, but since this is not a consensus change, nodes running the old and new versions will continue to accept the same blocks.

More significant changes will be introduced as forks at specified block heights. Recently, the rules for Ethereum's Pectra upgrade went live on Qtum in January 2026.

How to Safely Purchase QTUM

QTUM was delisted from Phemex's spot market in July 2026 and from the futures market in August 2026. If purchasing elsewhere, you can manage the coins yourself by following these steps:

1. Ensure that the asset you are purchasing is Qtum as a coin (ticker: QTUM), as there are funds traded on the stock market with the same ticker.

2. Choose a wallet that supports the Qtum chain itself. For example, the project's Qtum Core wallet also supports staking.

3. Verify the receiving address before sending. Standard Qtum addresses start with the letter "Q."

4. First, send a small amount and confirm its arrival before transferring the remainder.

5. When trading on the order book, use limit orders that will only execute at or above your specified price.

What Are the Risks of Holding QTUM?

Long-term Price Decline. According to CoinGecko, QTUM reached a high of around $100 in January 2018. As of early November 2026, the closing price is around $0.75, which is over 99% lower than its peak, and the gradual increase in supply has not stopped the decline.

Minimal Staking Rewards. Staking income is derived solely from this limited new issuance and fees, with distributions to Super Stakers deducted from delegated coins. This is not sufficient to significantly offset the price decline.

Delisting Deadlines. Phemex's announcement regarding spot trading indicated that QTUM deposits and withdrawals would be halted on the day of the pair's delisting, and any subsequent withdrawal requests would be referred to customer support. If you leave coins deposited with an exchange that delists them, you will depend on that exchange's processes.

Is Qtum a Good Investment?

While I do not make judgments, I believe that the supply aspect is the strongest point in the discussion. Almost all of the coins have already been issued, and rewards continue to halve, meaning that long-term holders are less exposed to dilution.

The weak point lies in demand. Qtum is one of many smart contract-compatible chains, and holding it is a bet on which Layer 1 smart contract platform will survive. Evidence of usage, such as an increase in contracts or QRC20 token deployments by developers, could change our perspective, and supply alone cannot demonstrate this.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Qtum the same as the QTUM ETF?

No. Qtum is a blockchain, and QTUM is its coin. The QTUM ETF is a fund related to quantum computing and AI that trades on the stock market under the same ticker, so be sure to check the official name when purchasing either.

What is the total supply of QTUM coins?

As of early November 2026, there were approximately 106.14 million QTUM in existence. The code's supply cap is about 107.82 million, with more than 90% of that generated in the first 5,000 blocks in 2017.

Can QTUM still be staked?

Yes. According to the project, anyone can participate in staking using wallets like Qtum Core without a minimum amount. Since 2020, it has also been possible to delegate to Super Stakers without giving up your private keys.

Conclusion

Qtum resolved supply issues during the first 40 minutes of mining after its launch. Each subsequent halving further reduces the amount to be issued. As a result, QTUM becomes a straightforward bet on real usage. If contract activity on the chain increases, dilution faced by holders will be minimal. If it does not, the reward schedule alone cannot support the price.