$XRP Ledger prepares for the quantum era: How does it plan to protect accounts without raising fees?
Quantum computing is one of the most important security debates for the future of blockchains. In response to this challenge, the XRP Ledger Foundation has outlined its post-quantum protection plan in its roadmap, aiming to complete the transition by 2028.
1. The current risk posed by signatures:
Every time you make a payment on the network, your account exposes its public key to validate the transaction. In theory, a quantum computer with sufficient computational power could derive the private key from that visible public key and take control of the funds. This affects any wallet that has sent transactions in the past.
2. The technical solution: ML-DSA-44 keys
The proposal allows users to associate a new key based on ML-DSA-44 (a post-quantum cryptography standard approved by NIST) and immediately revoke the old key, closing the door to future attacks.
Larger data size: The new signature and key take up 3,732 bytes (compared with the traditional 105 bytes).
No fee increase: Although each protected transaction will take up more space in the database, the base fee for end users will not increase; node operators and validators will absorb the additional technical storage burden.
3. Timeline and development:
The Foundation will allocate between $215,000 and $255,000 for the technical audit of this specific amendment. The migration study will be carried out in the first half of 2027, with final development and network deployment scheduled between late 2027 and 2028.
Do you think it’s wise for networks to start protecting themselves against quantum computing now, or do you think it’s still a very distant threat?
#xrp
Quantum computing is one of the most important security debates for the future of blockchains. In response to this challenge, the XRP Ledger Foundation has outlined its post-quantum protection plan in its roadmap, aiming to complete the transition by 2028.
1. The current risk posed by signatures:
Every time you make a payment on the network, your account exposes its public key to validate the transaction. In theory, a quantum computer with sufficient computational power could derive the private key from that visible public key and take control of the funds. This affects any wallet that has sent transactions in the past.
2. The technical solution: ML-DSA-44 keys
The proposal allows users to associate a new key based on ML-DSA-44 (a post-quantum cryptography standard approved by NIST) and immediately revoke the old key, closing the door to future attacks.
Larger data size: The new signature and key take up 3,732 bytes (compared with the traditional 105 bytes).
No fee increase: Although each protected transaction will take up more space in the database, the base fee for end users will not increase; node operators and validators will absorb the additional technical storage burden.
3. Timeline and development:
The Foundation will allocate between $215,000 and $255,000 for the technical audit of this specific amendment. The migration study will be carried out in the first half of 2027, with final development and network deployment scheduled between late 2027 and 2028.
Do you think it’s wise for networks to start protecting themselves against quantum computing now, or do you think it’s still a very distant threat?
#xrp