XRP Ledger begins preparation for quantum era

The XRP Ledger is accelerating efforts to prepare its network for the emerging risks posed by quantum computing. The blockchain firm is fronting this initiative through collaboration with post-quantum cryptography and cybersecurity company Project Eleven. Notably, the initiative aims to strengthen the XRP Ledger’s defenses against future quantum-enabled cyber threats that could compromise the cryptographic systems securing major blockchains, including Bitcoin ( BTC ), Ethereum ( ETH ), Solana ( SOL ), and XRP. The partnership will focus on moving post-quantum security from research into practical implementation across the XRP Ledger ecosystem, Project Eleven said in a press release on May 19. As part of the partnership, Project Eleven will audit the XRP Ledger’s validator, wallet, custody, and networking infrastructure to identify potential quantum computing vulnerabilities. The companies will also develop hybrid signature systems combining current cryptography with quantum-resistant technology, alongside a quantum-secure custody wallet prototype. At the same time, Ripple said the XRP Ledger already includes features that could support a transition to quantum-safe cryptography, including native key rotation and a validator network capable of coordinating upgrades without requiring users to change existing XRP wallet addresses. Its account-based structure is expected to allow users and businesses to migrate to quantum-resistant signatures while keeping the same addresses, reducing disruption during the transition. “The quantum threat isn’t hypothetical. It is an engineering challenge with a clear timeline. What puts XRPL in a strong position is that we are not starting from scratch. We already have core capabilities like key rotation and a validator network that can coordinate upgrades at scale,” said J. Ayo Akinyele, Head of Engineering, RippleX. Growing concern around quantum computing The initiative comes as concerns grow over the long-term impact of quantum computing on current encryption systems. Governments and major technology firms are increasingly preparing for migration to quantum-safe standards, with the United States targeting 2035 for federal systems to phase out vulnerable encryption methods. Major firms such as IBM and Google Quantum AI have reported progress in fault-tolerant quantum computing, with IBM targeting a roughly 200-logical-qubit system by 2029 and Google advancing its Willow-era chips and error-correction technologies. Recent research suggests RSA-2048 could be broken with fewer than 1 million physical qubits, and possibly under 100,000 in advanced designs, far below earlier estimates of more than 20 million. Estimates for ECC-256 curves used in Bitcoin, Ethereum, and digital signatures have also dropped to a few hundred thousand qubits. Experts warn that “Q-Day” may arrive sooner as quantum hardware and algorithms improve. Meanwhile, post-quantum standards from the National Institute of Standards and Technology, including Kyber and Dilithium, are gaining adoption, though migrating legacy systems is expected to take years. Researchers have also warned about “Harvest Now, Decrypt Later” attacks, where encrypted data is stored today for future quantum decryption. While no cryptographically relevant quantum computer exists yet, the risk window for cryptocurrencies is increasingly viewed as the late 2020s or early 2030s. The post XRP Ledger begins preparation for quantum era appeared first on Finbold.