Ripple and the XRP Ledger Foundation have partnered with quantum-security firm Project Eleven to strengthen the XRP Ledger (XRPL) against future risks tied to quantum computing. The collaboration will focus on testing vulnerabilities across XRPL wallets, validators, custody systems, and core network infrastructure while developing new security tools designed to withstand potential quantum-based attacks.
The initiative comes as concerns grow across the crypto industry that future advances in quantum computing could eventually weaken or break the encryption systems protecting major blockchain networks. The U.S. government plans to phase out vulnerable encryption standards by 2035, while companies including Google and Cloudflare are reportedly aiming to strengthen parts of their systems before the end of the decade.
Quantum risks move closer to reality
Project Eleven CEO and Co-Founder Alex Pruden said blockchain companies must now move beyond research and begin preparing practical defenses against future quantum computing risks. He warned that most blockchain networks still face the same underlying cryptographic vulnerability despite years of theoretical discussions around the issue.
Pruden stated, “Every major blockchain is exposed to the same cryptographic vulnerability, but most of the response has stayed at the research stage.” He added, “This engagement is about execution. Ripple is treating quantum risk as a practical engineering problem. That’s the right approach.”
RippleX Head of Engineering J. Ayo Akinyele also described quantum security as a growing technical challenge rather than a distant threat. He said, “The quantum threat isn’t hypothetical. It is an engineering challenge with a clear timeline.” As a result, Ripple plans to rely on XRPL’s validator coordination and key rotation infrastructure to accelerate future security upgrades.
The partnership will include a broader review of XRPL’s validator systems, custody infrastructure, wallets, and network architecture. Additionally, Project Eleven plans to develop hybrid digital signatures combining existing encryption methods with quantum-resistant protections. The company will also build a quantum-secure custody wallet prototype alongside performance testing and production-ready security tools.
Bitcoin and BNB Chain face similar concerns
The broader crypto industry already faces mounting pressure as quantum computing research advances faster than many developers expected. Earlier this year, Google researchers warned that future quantum attacks against Bitcoin and Ethereum may require far fewer computing resources than previous estimates suggested. The researchers said fewer than 500,000 physical qubits could eventually break today’s blockchain encryption systems.
Project Eleven estimates that roughly 6.9 million Bitcoin currently sit in wallets with publicly exposed keys, making them potential long-term targets if quantum systems become powerful enough. As a result, security researchers increasingly warn that attackers could eventually use Shor’s algorithm to crack private keys and access funds once quantum hardware matures.
Alex Pruden recently told developers during Consensus Miami that delaying upgrades could create much larger risks across the crypto sector later. His comments reflected growing concern that blockchain networks may not have enough time to transition toward quantum-resistant security standards once practical quantum systems arrive.
Meanwhile, BNB Chain has already begun testing new security upgrades designed to protect its network from future quantum computing threats. Developers recently introduced updated transaction signatures and added new consensus protections during internal trials.
However, the testing also exposed several technical challenges. The upgrades slowed parts of the network and increased transaction sizes, showing that blockchain systems still face major performance hurdles before quantum-resistant security can work efficiently at scale.
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