Qtum Unveils x86 Virtual Machine At Consensus Conference

Updated On May 15, 2018 by Cameron Bishop

Qtum, a decentralized blockchain application platform capable of running Smart Contracts on multiple virtual machines, has announced that its co-founder and lead developer Jordan Earls has unveiled Qtum’s x86 virtual machine at the Consensus conference, which has begun yesterday at the New York Hilton Midtown.

The demonstration will assist developers to build their dApps on a fully tested technology. Qtum, which is the first blockchain protocol to successfully deploy a PoS (Proof-of Stake) consensus model, has deployed a powerful virtual machine network on top of its blockchain network, which acts as a basic protocol with limited flexibility.

The blockchain network’s UTXO transaction model provides the same stability as that of Bitcoin, making it ideal for IoT and mobile applications. It also supports smart contract platforms that are currently using the Ethereum Virtual Machine. The efficiency of x86 architecture ensures the use of fewer resources by nodes. Therefore, executing a contract is cheaper using the virtual machine.

One of the notable features of x86 VM is that it supports commonly used programming languages such as C, C++, Java, and Rust. In the future, the developers aim to implement support for Go and Python.

Commenting on the launch, Qtum co-founder and lead developer Jordan Earls said

“We are building some very good innovations, such as the Qtum x86VM, and our demonstration at Consensus during New York Blockchain Week will show decentralized app developers how it empowers them to build fantastic decentralized applications. To this, we are leveraging the Ethereum Virtual Machine and building the x86VM so people can develop smart contracts in the majority of programming languages, such as C++, Rust, and Python. We’re excited to share the work we’ve been doing. I believe what we need in smart contracts is not more shiny tools but stability and predictability when you’re developing. More innovation can take place in the blockchain space when experienced programmers can write using mature programming languages.”

Qtum has chosen to use C and C++ as they are relatively easy to support. Likewise, light-weight Rust was opted for its security-focused characteristics. With this launch, Qtum hopes to lower the barrier of entry for developers and aid in innovation. Qtum’s x86VM will be fully released during the second-half of this year. Developers will be able to use the popular programming languages to build their dApps on the Qtum platform.

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