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The quantum computing threat to crypto has always felt like a distant storm on the horizon. Freedom Factory apparently decided not to wait for the rain.
The company unveiled the PQ1 on July 28, 2026, billing it as the world’s first hardware wallet built with post-quantum cryptographic capabilities. One day later, on July 29, Ethereum Builders Live will host a dedicated session featuring Freedom Factory CEO Michael Haas to break down the device’s security architecture and open-source design philosophy.
What the PQ1 actually does
The PQ1 tackles this by implementing SPHINCS+, a hash-based digital signature scheme that’s considered resistant to quantum attacks. Instead of relying on math problems that quantum computers might eventually solve, SPHINCS+ uses a different cryptographic approach that remains secure even against quantum-capable adversaries.
Beyond the quantum-resistant algorithms, the wallet integrates ERC-4337 smart accounts. ERC-4337 is the account abstraction standard on Ethereum that lets users interact with the blockchain through smart contract wallets rather than traditional externally owned accounts. This means features like social recovery, gas sponsorship, and batched transactions become native to the wallet experience.
The device is fully compatible with the Ethereum Virtual Machine, which covers Ethereum itself plus the sprawling ecosystem of EVM-compatible chains. Priced at $179, it slots into the mid-range of the hardware wallet market. Shipments are expected in Q4 2026.
The entire thing is open-source. Every line of firmware code will be publicly auditable, which is the kind of transparency that security researchers and paranoid crypto holders both appreciate.
The Ethereum Builders Live session
The July 29 session with Michael Haas is expected to cover the PQ1’s security model in detail, including how SPHINCS+ was implemented on constrained hardware and why the team chose an open-source approach.
Freedom Factory clearly planned this rollout with some care. The company filed a trademark for the PQ1 on July 6, 2026, weeks before the public announcement, suggesting the launch was part of a deliberate go-to-market strategy.
Beyond Ethereum: the Toshi PQ1
The PQ1 isn’t limited to the Ethereum ecosystem. A related variant called the Toshi PQ1 has been designed specifically for Bitcoin users. This version uses ML-DSA-65 for key generation, a different post-quantum algorithm that leverages on-device machine learning.
Disclosure: This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our Editorial Policy.
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