The rise of quantum computing promises revolutionary breakthroughs—but it also brings a looming threat to the cryptographic foundations of blockchain. Among the most vulnerable? Bitcoin. With over 6.26 million BTC—valued at more than $648 billion as of early 2025—potentially at risk from future quantum attacks, a new initiative named Project Eleven is stepping in to future-proof digital asset security.
Rather than chasing trends like DeFi yields or token airdrops, Project Eleven tackles one of the most under-discussed yet critical challenges in crypto: quantum vulnerability. By integrating Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC) into existing blockchain frameworks—starting with Bitcoin—the project aims to build a resilient defense before quantum computers render current encryption obsolete.
The Quantum Threat to Bitcoin
Bitcoin’s security relies on elliptic curve cryptography (ECC), which protects private keys from being derived from public addresses. However, a sufficiently powerful quantum computer could use Shor’s algorithm to reverse-engineer private keys from public ones—especially for addresses that have previously broadcast transactions.
This means any Bitcoin stored in:
- Reused addresses
- Exposed public keys
- Lost or inactive wallets
…could become vulnerable once fault-tolerant quantum computers emerge. Experts estimate this could happen by the late 2020s or early 2030s. That timeline makes proactive defense not just prudent—but urgent.
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Introducing Yellowpages: A Quantum-Resistant Identity Layer
Project Eleven’s first public-facing tool, Yellowpages, is designed to address this threat without disrupting Bitcoin’s core protocol. It introduces an optional, backward-compatible layer that enables users to bind quantum-resistant cryptographic keys to their existing Bitcoin addresses.
Here’s how it works:
- Users generate a new PQC-secured key pair using standardized algorithms (e.g., CRYSTALS-Dilithium or SPHINCS+).
- This key pair is cryptographically linked to their legacy Bitcoin address off-chain.
- The binding is recorded on-chain through a lightweight verification mechanism.
- Ownership and authenticity can be verified without migrating funds or changing wallets.
This approach ensures:
- No need to move assets
- No changes to user behavior
- No hard forks or consensus-level upgrades
- Full compatibility with current infrastructure
Yellowpages doesn’t replace Bitcoin’s cryptography—it enhances it with a forward-looking identity and attestation system, effectively creating a "post-quantum ownership certificate" for each protected address.
Core Keywords & Strategic Focus
To ensure both technical clarity and SEO alignment, the following keywords naturally underpin the project’s mission and this article’s content:
- Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC)
- Quantum-resistant Bitcoin
- Crypto asset security
- Bitcoin quantum threat
- Decentralized identity (DID)
- Future-proof blockchain
- Private key protection
- Cryptographic resilience
These terms reflect growing search intent around long-term digital asset preservation and are integrated throughout to align with real user queries.
Team Behind the Vision
Project Eleven brings together seasoned experts from cryptography, privacy tech, and decentralized infrastructure:
- Alex Pruden, CEO: Former president of Aleo, a privacy-focused Layer 1, with deep roots in cryptographic research from Stanford University. He emphasizes that “most protocols ignore systemic risks until it's too late—Project Eleven is building the seatbelt before the crash.”
- Finn Murphy, Co-Founder: Ex-partner at Nebular, a data privacy startup, with extensive experience in data sovereignty and protocol design.
- Conor Deegan, VP of Engineering: Previously co-founded Pool Data and now leads PQC integration, focusing on scalable deployment across blockchains.
- Leeor Mushin, Co-Founder: From Formation VC, he joined in early 2025 to guide fundraising and strategic development, leveraging his network in early-stage Web3 ventures.
Their combined expertise spans cryptography, venture building, and decentralized systems—making them uniquely positioned to execute a high-stakes, long-horizon project like this.
Funding Backed by Industry Leaders
In June 2025, Project Eleven secured $6 million in early-stage funding, led by:
- Variant Fund – Known for its thesis-driven Web3 investments
- Quantonation – A specialist investor in quantum-safe technologies
With participation from:
- Castle Island Ventures
- Ambush Capital
- Formation
Notable angel investors include:
- Joe Lallouz (Co-founder, Bison Trails; Partner, Ambush Capital)
- Aaron Henshaw (Bison Trails co-founder, Coinbase Cloud)
- Zaki Manian (Sommelier, Cosmos ecosystem contributor)
- Anna Rose (ZK Validator, privacy tech advocate)
This blend of traditional crypto investors and quantum-focused VCs underscores confidence in both the technical necessity and market timing of the project.
Development Status and Roadmap
As of mid-2025:
- The Yellowpages prototype is complete
- Internal protocol validation and baseline testing are underway
- Security audit conducted by Cure53, a renowned independent cybersecurity firm—results pending public release
- No mainnet deployment yet; no public user interface available
Crucially, Project Eleven has not announced:
- Integration plans with wallets or exchanges
- Tokenomics or governance models
- Airdrop or incentive programs
This silence reflects its focus on technical substance over hype, prioritizing security audits and interoperability before community rollout.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: Can quantum computers already break Bitcoin’s encryption?
Not yet. Current quantum machines lack the qubit stability and error correction needed to run Shor’s algorithm at scale. However, experts warn that preparation must begin now—because once quantum decryption becomes feasible, retroactive attacks on exposed keys could happen rapidly.
Q: Do I need to move my Bitcoin to be protected?
No. One of Yellowpages’ key advantages is that it allows protection without transferring funds. You retain control of your BTC while adding a PQC-based ownership layer off-chain.
Q: Is Project Eleven launching its own blockchain?
No. It is not building a new chain. Instead, it develops modular, interoperable tools that enhance existing blockchains—starting with Bitcoin.
Q: Will there be a token or reward system?
No official plans have been disclosed. The team appears focused on protocol development rather than token incentives at this stage.
Q: How does Yellowpages verify PQC key binding?
Through a combination of zero-knowledge proofs and deterministic cryptographic commitments posted on-chain, allowing anyone to verify the link between a legacy address and its associated PQC key—without revealing sensitive data.
Q: Why start with Bitcoin?
Bitcoin has the largest store of value and longest transaction history—meaning more exposed public keys and higher stakes. Securing it first creates a template for broader adoption across other chains.
Looking Ahead: A New Era of Crypto Resilience
Project Eleven represents a shift from reactive innovation to proactive defense in Web3. As quantum computing advances from lab curiosity to real-world capability, projects like this will define whether today’s digital assets remain secure tomorrow.
While still in early stages, its non-disruptive integration model, strong technical foundation, and backing from top-tier investors suggest it could become a critical piece of the long-term blockchain security stack.
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The goal isn’t to fear the future—but to prepare for it. And when it comes to protecting hundreds of billions in crypto value, preparation starts today.