Ripple Unveils Multi-Phase Plan To Make The XRP Ledger Quantum-Ready By 2028

Ripple has unveiled a multi-phase roadmap to prepare the XRP Ledger (XRPL) for a post-quantum future, aiming to achieve full readiness by 2028. 

The announcement comes as advances in quantum computing raise concerns that the cryptography used by many blockchains today could eventually be undermined—potentially putting long-term users and high-value accounts at risk.

The urgency, Ripple said, is tied to recent findings from Google Quantum AI earlier this month. According to those results, the cryptographic methods most blockchains rely on today can be broken by sufficiently advanced quantum computers. 

Yet, Ripple emphasized that XRPL already includes built-in capabilities that support a forward migration. One key feature is native key rotation. This allows users to move away from potentially vulnerable keys over time without needing to change their underlying accounts. 

While these features are not themselves “post-quantum solutions,” Ripple argued they are foundational parts of the protocol—giving XRPL a practical migration path that would otherwise have to be built from the ground up in many other networks.

Under Ripple’s plan, Phase 1 focuses on post-quantum recovery and Q-Day readiness. In the scenario where classical cryptography breaks, Ripple says XRPL would activate a contingency plan enabling a safe migration to post-quantum cryptography. 

Phase 2 runs through the first half of 2026 with a full assessment of quantum risk across the network and an evaluation of how post-quantum changes would affect transaction performance, storage, and bandwidth. 

Ripple also stated that it is collaborating with Project Eleven to accelerate early experimentation, including validator-level testing, Devnet benchmarking, and a post-quantum custody wallet prototype, all of which it said help move the timeline into the second phase.

For Phase 4, Ripple is targeting full transition for post-quantum signatures no later than 2028. In this stage, Ripple said it would move from testing to execution across the entire XRPL ecosystem. 

The company added that the work at this point is not only about cryptography, but also about not breaking what already works on XRPL. Ripple said coordination with ecosystem partners will be essential to keep the transition smooth and safe for all accounts.

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