Quant (QNT) Explained: What Is the QNT Crypto Coin?

• by Eamon Ledgerwood
• Oct 11, 2025
• 6 Comments

Quant (QNT) Explained: What Is the QNT Crypto Coin?

Ever wondered why big banks keep talking about a “crypto bridge” that doesn’t look like a typical blockchain? The answer often lands on Quant (QNT). In this guide we’ll break down exactly what Quant is, how its Overledger network works, why the QNT token matters, and whether it’s a good fit for enterprises or curious investors.

Key Takeaways

• Quant isn’t a separate blockchain; it’s an interoperability layer called Overledger that links existing ledgers.
• The native Quant QNT token is an ERC‑20 asset on Ethereum and powers licensing, transaction fees, and token creation.
• Enterprise adoption is the core focus - banks, supply‑chain firms, and governments already use Overledger.
• Compared with Polkadot, Cosmos and Chainlink, Quant offers a higher‑level API approach without requiring protocol changes.
• Token economics (minimum 10,000 QNT for licensing) can be a barrier for small projects, but large institutions benefit from the standardized bridge.

What Is Quant (QNT)?

When you hear the name Quant (QNT) is a blockchain interoperability platform that uses the native QNT token to connect private and public ledgers. Founded in June 2018 by cybersecurity veteran Gilbert Verdian, Quant’s mission is simple: eliminate the “silo” problem that forces enterprises to pick a single blockchain and stay locked in.

Quant does this through its proprietary Overledger network, which acts as a middleware gateway rather than a new chain. Think of Overledger as a universal translator for blockchains - it lets Bitcoin talk to Ethereum, Hyperledger to Ripple, and even legacy banking systems speak the same language without rewriting their code.

Overledger: The Interoperability Engine

Overledger is a distributed ledger‑technology (DLT) gateway that provides a set of APIs and SDKs for building multi‑chain applications (MApps). The key design choice is that Overledger sits **above** existing ledgers; it does not introduce a consensus mechanism of its own. This means:

• Enterprises keep their current blockchain investments.
• Developers write code once and deploy it across multiple networks.
• Regulators can monitor cross‑chain transactions through a single compliance layer.

Overledger’s API layer connects to the underlying networks via “gateway operators” who hold a minimum amount of QNT tokens to obtain a license. The operator model ensures that secure access is controlled while still offering the flexibility of public‑type APIs.

QNT Token - The Fuel and License

QNT is an ERC‑20 token built on the Ethereum blockchain that serves as the utility token for the Quant ecosystem. As of October2025 the token trades around $89 USD with a daily volume exceeding $60million. Its primary roles are:

1. Paying transaction fees for MApp operations.
2. Staking for gateway operator licenses (10,000QNT per year for standard access).
3. Creating multi‑chain tokens using the QRC‑20 standard.

Because the token is ERC‑20, it inherits Ethereum’s security guarantees, but its value is directly tied to enterprise demand for Overledger services. This linkage explains the price volatility noted by analysts - a sudden drop in corporate onboarding can swing the token’s market.

QRC‑20: A Multi‑Chain Token Standard

QRC‑20 is Quant’s own token standard designed for seamless deployment across multiple blockchains. Unlike Ethereum’s ERC‑20, QRC‑20 abstracts the underlying network, letting businesses launch a token once and have it recognized on Bitcoin, Ethereum, Ripple, and Hyperledger simultaneously. The drag‑and‑drop UI launched in 2023 allows non‑developers to mint tokens without writing smart‑contract code, a feature that has attracted fintech startups looking for quick proofs of concept.

Real‑World Use Cases

Quant’s enterprise focus is evident in several high‑profile pilots:

• Bank of England - a cross‑border payment proof‑of‑concept that used Overledger to settle transactions between UK and European banks without a central clearing house.
• European Investment Bank - digital bond issuance on a multi‑ledger platform, streamlining investor onboarding across jurisdictions.
• Supply‑Chain Logistics - a global freight company integrated Hyperledger Fabric for internal tracking while using Ethereum for public shipment verification, all linked through Overledger.

These deployments typically require 4-6months of integration work, reflecting the steep learning curve of mapping legacy data structures to blockchain‑compatible formats.

How Quant Stacks Up Against Competitors

The table highlights why Quant shines in regulated sectors: it works with existing chains and offers a single API, while Polkadot and Cosmos require building on their own frameworks. The trade‑off is less decentralization, which some crypto‑native projects see as a drawback.

Pros and Cons

• Pros
  • Enterprise‑grade security (ISO27001 certified).
  • Fast time‑to‑market for cross‑chain solutions.
  • Broad ledger support without protocol changes.
• Cons
  • Token‑based licensing can be costly for small teams.
  • Centralized governance may deter pure‑decentralization advocates.
  • Limited public DeFi tooling compared to open‑source alternatives.

Token Economics and Licensing Details

To become a gateway operator, an organization must lock up at least 10,000QNT annually. This stake grants the right to route transactions, issue QRC‑20 tokens, and access premium API endpoints. The staking model creates a demand buffer for QNT, but it also ties operational budgeting to token price swings. Smaller developers can bypass the licensing fee by using third‑party gateway services, though at a higher per‑transaction cost.

Transaction fees on Overledger are paid in QNT and are calibrated per‑operation. For instance, a simple cross‑ledger query may cost 0.001QNT, while a full‑scale settlement MApp could consume 0.05QNT per transaction. These fees are modest compared to the cost of building and maintaining separate blockchain nodes.

Future Roadmap and Market Outlook

Quant’s roadmap points to Overledger3.0, slated for Q22024, which will add zero‑knowledge proof support and improve transaction finality across heterogeneous networks. Analysts at Gartner predict a 30% rise in enterprise blockchain‑interoperability adoption through 2025, with Quant positioned to capture 15‑20% of the financial‑services slice.

The broader interoperability market was valued at $6.27billion in 2022 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of 18.6% through 2030. As more Global2000 companies adopt multi‑ledger strategies (estimated 40% by 2026), demand for a turnkey bridge like Overledger should surge, bolstering QNT’s utility and, potentially, its price stability.

Frequently Asked Questions