ProofNet BTC LLC Upgrades Core Stack to NIST Security Level 5 and Launches PQ Mesh Direct System Integration
Advancing from initial Level-3 prototypes to maximum Category 5 post-quantum cryptography (ML-DSA-87, ML-KEM-1024, and SHA3-512), Proofnet introduces self-certifying peer-to-peer system computing, Proof of Knowledge verification, and localized machine management with zero Certificate Authorities.
LAYTON, UTAH — ProofNet BTC LLC today announced the production upgrade of the Proofnet and Bitcoin Attestation Network (BAN) cryptographic architecture to NIST Security Level 5 (Category 5) alongside the rollout of PQ Mesh, an integrated post-quantum peer-to-peer connection and localized system-computing fabric for individuals, developers, and institutional IT environments.
1. Full Transition to NIST Security Level 5 Post-Quantum Standards
Building on the historical March 2026 Genesis hardware milestone documented in the First Edition of The Bitcoin Economy, ProofNet BTC LLC has upgraded every layer of its production signing, transport, and identity stack from Security Level 3 to NIST Security Level 5—the highest security category standardized by the National Institute of Standards and Technology:
NIST FIPS 204 ML-DSA-87
Category 5 lattice-based digital signatures across all node identities, hardware-backed signing, Attesto evidence bundles, and deterministic AttestoScript contract receipts.
NIST FIPS 203 ML-KEM-1024
Category 5 post-quantum key encapsulation paired in hybrid key establishment (SecP384r1MLKEM1024) inside PQTLS 1.3 transport sessions.
SHA3-512 Self-Certifying Identity
Every node address is deterministically derived from its ML-DSA-87 public key via SHA3-512, removing reliance on third-party Certificate Authorities (CAs) or central DNS registries.
2. PQ Mesh: Direct Peer-to-Peer Connection & Localized System Computing
With the launch of PQ Mesh, individuals and organizations now have a direct, self-authenticating integration point to link and manage their own localized computers, workstations, and institutional servers peer-to-peer without central coordination servers, cloud bastions, or external identity providers.
Unlike traditional virtual private networks that only forward raw network packets or require centralized login brokers, PQ Mesh binds encrypted userspace transport directly to each machine's self-certifying post-quantum node identity and enforces explicit, mutually signed peer service grants for localized system management—including remote terminal multiplexing (PTY), secure shell (SSH), and remote desktop viewing (VNC).
ML-KEM-1024 + ML-DSA-87) before any local system service is exposed. No traffic or credentials pass through third-party cloud relays, and either peer can revoke a localized service grant instantaneously.
3. Proof of Knowledge (PoK), Proof of Work (PoW), and Local Memory Blocks
Proofnet pairs IETF RFC 9334 cryptographic attestation (Attesto) with local SQLite Memory Blocks, Proof of Knowledge (PoK) verification for sovereign AI reasoning traces, and Proof of Work (PoW) anchored to Bitcoin Layer 1 via Taproot commitments. Core attestation, PQ Mesh peer-to-peer system computing, and local Memory Blocks operate as standalone enterprise and developer infrastructure with zero mandatory token burn and zero validator slashing.
About ProofNet BTC LLC
Headquartered in Layton, Utah, ProofNet BTC LLC develops post-quantum, Bitcoin-anchored infrastructure for self-certifying network transport (PQTLS & PQ Mesh), verifiable record storage (Memory Blocks), cryptographic attestation (Attesto & AttestoBind), and sovereign institutional AI. For technical documentation or institutional pilot inquiries, visit proofnetbtc.com or bitcoinattestationnetwork.org.