QTUM Qtum Rank #319

Qtum is a decentralized, open-source smart contracts platform and value transfer protocol. It is built as a hybrid blockchain that combines elements of Bitcoin and Ethereum, using a fork of Bitcoin Core as its foundation while incorporating a Turing-complete execution layer capable of running smart contracts and decentralized applications. Transactions on the network are secured through a Proof-of-Stake consensus mechanism, in which node operators are rewarded for validating activity on the chain. The project is also notable for its Decentralized Governance Protocol (DGP), which allows community participants to vote on adjustments to certain network parameters without requiring a hard fork. Qtum retains Bitcoin's UTXO transaction model, pairing it with a smart contract virtual machine to support programmable logic. Founded by contributors drawn from both the Bitcoin and Ethereum communities, including members with backgrounds at major technology and finance companies, Qtum originated in China and has attracted backing from several well-known venture firms and individual investors in the broader blockchain space.