> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.qms.finance/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.qms.finance/overview.md).

# Overview

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Quantum Monetary System (QMS) is a layer-1 blockchain purpose-built for the quantum era. It is quantum-resistant by design and accommodates quantum computers in its miner network. Every building block is optimized for this future, from consensus mechanism to fast finality to tokenomics.

QMS achieves this by using *proof-of-useful-work* as its consensus mechanism, combined with a post-quantum finality layer. By replacing wasteful hashing with computation suited to quantum hardware, QMS becomes a decentralized cloud computing platform that quantum miners can power.

This is the "useful" in proof-of-useful-work. Commercial clients pay to have their optimization problems solved, giving miners a second source of income on top of standard block rewards. That second income reduces the inflationary cost of securing the chain while preserving the physical security of proof-of-work.

QMS v0.1 is live as a preview release on QMS Testnet. [Releases](/overview/releases.md) describes what it contains and what follows.

{% hint style="info" %}
The [QMS white paper](https://docs.qms.finance/whitepaper) (PDF) describes the complete design.
{% endhint %}

## In this section

* [The Quantum Challenge and Opportunity](/overview/the-quantum-challenge-and-opportunity.md) covers what quantum computing breaks in today's blockchains, and what it makes possible.
* [Why QMS](/overview/why-qms.md) sets out how QMS answers these challenges.
* [How QMS Works at a Glance](/overview/how-qms-works-at-a-glance.md) describes the four layers of the protocol and the marketplace that connects clients and miners.
* [Releases](/overview/releases.md) says which release is live, what it contains, and what comes next.

## Get started

* [Onboarding](/onboarding.md) adds QMS Testnet to your wallet and takes you through a first transaction.
* [For Developers](/for-developers.md) connects the Ethereum tools you already use to QMS and deploys a contract.