Concerns about powerful quantum computers potentially undermining the security employed by leading blockchains are growing. Many cryptocurrency networks are already developing improvements to stay ahead of the threat and defend themselves before any significant harm can be done. A new paper from Google Quantum AI has reignited concerns in the industry. The researchers found that the type of cryptography most blockchains depend on today, the kind that secures wallets, approves transactions, and protects digital assets, could be broken by a powerful enough quantum computer. The findings have divided opinion. Some in the industry take the warning seriously. Others, including MicroStrategy’s Michael Saylor, have brushed off the concern. Bernstein described the quantum risk as a “manageable upgrade cycle,” while Tron founder Justin Sun said his blockchain is already looking at ways to address future technical threats. Ripple’s four-phase plan Compared to most, Ripple has gone farther. In order to make its XRP Ledger quantum-safe by 2028, the corporation has outlined a comprehensive four-phase approach. The first stage is all about being prepared for emergencies. Ripple wants a backup plan that enables users to transfer their cash to post-quantum encryption, including tools based on zero-knowledge proofs that would function even in a compromised environment, in case existing cryptography breaks sooner than anticipated. The next step, starting in early 2026, Ripple will study quantum risks and test new security tools with help from Project Eleven. By the end of 2026, they will test advanced “post-quantum” security methods and research new ways to keep data private. By 2028, the entire XRP Ledger will be formally upgraded to ensure complete protection against quantum computers. The fourth and final phase would bring native post-quantum cryptography to the entire XRP Ledger through a formal amendment to the network’s ecosystem. “The threat has moved from theoretical to credible, and preparation timelines now matter,” Ripple’s blog post stated. The company also flagged a less obvious danger it described as “harvest now, decrypt later,” where bad actors collect cryptographic data from blockchains today and hold onto it, waiting for quantum hardware to become powerful enough to decode it. XRP vs. Bitcoin: how exposed are they? When it comes to how exposed XRP and Bitcoin currently are, the gap between the two is notable. Quantum computers are most dangerous to wallets where the public key has already appeared on the blockchain, which typically happens after a wallet’s first transaction. Approximately 300,000 XRP accounts with a total of 2.4 billion XRP have never performed a transaction, according to an audit released in April 2026 by XRPL validator “Vet”. They are immune to quantum attacks since their public keys have never been made public. Only two sizable dormant accounts with more than 21 million XRP and more than five years of inactivity have exposed public keys, according to the audit. That translates to a mere 0.03% of the whole XRP supply that is currently in jeopardy. Bitcoin has a different problem. About 32% of all Bitcoin, including 1 million coins belonging to its anonymous creator, Satoshi Nakamoto, is stored in a way that makes it easier for a quantum computer to attack. Because these accounts have already revealed certain security details to the network, the founder of Litecoin warns they are more at risk than others. Ripple’s blog post also argues that the XRP Ledger’s structure gives it an advantage over other networks, including Ethereum. The ledger supports what is called native key rotation, which lets users switch to new, more secure keys without moving their funds to a new account. Ethereum has no equivalent feature built into its protocol, meaning a post-quantum shift there would require users to manually transfer everything to new accounts. No quantum computer today is capable of breaking modern encryption. But with exposure as low as 0.03% and built-in tools for updating security keys, the XRP Ledger appears to be in a stronger position than most networks as quantum technology continues to develop. Still letting the bank keep the best part? Watch our free video on being your own bank .
