2025 was a year not for the faint-hearted, as it felt like a relentless roller-coaster—exhilarating, occasionally stomach-churning, and ultimately driving us forward with incredible momentum. Last year, I spoke about our "foundation year," where we planted the seeds of innovation. In 2025, those seeds met the elements. We faced the harsh winds of shifting geopolitical landscapes and the heat of rapid technological acceleration, yet we emerged forged into something stronger.

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The landscape for stablecoins has shifted from a niche discussion to an undeniable global reality. In Hong Kong, we felt this pulse most acutely; we rode the wave of excitement as stablecoin legislation moved toward finality, only to feel a sobering chill when broader, more powerful regional forces reminded us of the complexities of operating at the intersection of global finance and local reality. It was a poignant lesson in resilience. While the legislative path was clear, the path through the shifting tides of influence required a different kind of navigation. Despite these hurdles, the fundamental truth remains: the place for stablecoins has arrived. They have moved into the mainstream, embraced by institutions and the public alike.

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At the same time, the quantum threat we’ve been warning about has moved from the pages of whitepapers to the headlines of financial news. When the heads of the Mag 7 start speaking the language of quantum and we see the US and China locked in a frantic race for quantum supremacy, the urgency for what we do at PQA Labs becomes undeniable. Nic Carter’s perspective in "Bitcoin and the Quantum Problem”1 simply validated my long-held conviction. We are building the shields for an era that is already knocking on our door.

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To those who have stood by us from the beginning and along the way: your patience is our greatest fuel. We are in the mid-stream of a massive architectural shift in finance, and while the full rewards of our labor are still ripening, the horizon is glowing. We have become incredibly nimble, making the necessary strategic pivots to ensure we are positioned where the puck is going, not where it has been. There is a palpable sense of anticipation within our walls right now; many significant developments are brewing behind the scenes, and the opportunities surfacing for 2026 are unlike anything we have seen before.

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As we move forward, I want to share our guiding philosophy, following our North S-T-A-R:

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S - Security as the Standard 

We reaffirm that security is our non-negotiable pillar. In a world that can no longer wait for quantum resistance, we ensure our post-quantum cryptographic solutions remain the gold standard for protecting digital assets.

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T - Transformation through Service

We see a massive shift on the horizon as another form of SaaS – Stablecoin as a Service – gains traction. We must focus our offerings to ensure any institution can leverage our infrastructure to provide stable, secure, and compliant financial tools.

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A - Adherence to Compliance

Our commitment to being rooted in compliance is stronger than ever. Even when the regulatory environment feels like a moving target, we lead with transparency and integrity to provide a solid foundation for growth.

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R - Resilience through Empowerment

2025 taught us that we must be nimble to tackle the challenges thrown our way. Resilience means leveraging collective wisdom and empowering the team with the tools and development needed to thrive. We must be quick to adapt and act, ensuring we lead rather than follow.

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I am a stronger believer today than I was when we started this journey two years ago. The conviction I feel for stablecoins, post-quantum tech, and privacy race tracks is at an all-time high. We have had to learn, pivot, and occasionally bruise our egos, but doing so has made our progress feel earned. I am profoundly grateful for a unified team and a network of partners who believe in this mission. We are building the tools to protect the future of finance.

 

The best is truly yet to come.