XRP Ledger plans quantum-resistant accounts
📋 Summary
The XRP Ledger is exploring the addition of ML-DSA-44 keys, resistant to future quantum computers, for accounts and validators. The proposal would keep the current base fee but increase transaction size and require users to disable their old keys to obtain full protection.
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has included a proposal in its 2027 roadmap to let accounts, validators, and publishers of validator lists use signatures resistant to quantum computing. The design adopts the ML-DSA-44 standard and creates a path to replace current keys, which could become vulnerable if sufficiently advanced quantum computers can run Shor’s algorithm at scale.
The change is not yet active on the mainnet. According to the XRP Ledger Foundation’s feasibility study, the migration must go through development, testing, cryptographic review, and an external audit. The roadmap calls for a migration study in the first half of 2027, while Ripple maintains its broader goal of preparing the ecosystem for a complete transition by 2028.
How post-quantum accounts would work
The technical draft adds the “dilithium” key type, based on the ML-DSA-44 standard defined by NIST. The algorithm could be used not only to sign account transactions, but also for validations, consensus proposals, validator lists, communication between nodes, and payment channels.
In practice, an account owner could configure a regular key that is resistant to quantum computing and then disable the classic master key. This second step is essential: keeping a key based on secp256k1 or Ed25519 active would leave a door open, even after the new key is added.
The concern stems from the fact that a public key becomes visible on the blockchain when the account signs a transaction.
📋 Summary
The XRP Ledger is exploring the addition of ML-DSA-44 keys, resistant to future quantum computers, for accounts and validators. The proposal would keep the current base fee but increase transaction size and require users to disable their old keys to obtain full protection.
The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has included a proposal in its 2027 roadmap to let accounts, validators, and publishers of validator lists use signatures resistant to quantum computing. The design adopts the ML-DSA-44 standard and creates a path to replace current keys, which could become vulnerable if sufficiently advanced quantum computers can run Shor’s algorithm at scale.
The change is not yet active on the mainnet. According to the XRP Ledger Foundation’s feasibility study, the migration must go through development, testing, cryptographic review, and an external audit. The roadmap calls for a migration study in the first half of 2027, while Ripple maintains its broader goal of preparing the ecosystem for a complete transition by 2028.
How post-quantum accounts would work
The technical draft adds the “dilithium” key type, based on the ML-DSA-44 standard defined by NIST. The algorithm could be used not only to sign account transactions, but also for validations, consensus proposals, validator lists, communication between nodes, and payment channels.
In practice, an account owner could configure a regular key that is resistant to quantum computing and then disable the classic master key. This second step is essential: keeping a key based on secp256k1 or Ed25519 active would leave a door open, even after the new key is added.
The concern stems from the fact that a public key becomes visible on the blockchain when the account signs a transaction.