The XRP Ledger announced a protocol amendment that would let account holders replace their existing signing keys with quantum‑resistant alternatives, a move aimed at safeguarding assets against future quantum‑computing attacks. According to CoinGape, the proposal maintains current base fees while introducing larger signature payloads, and Ripple’s foundation plans to roll out the full upgrade by 2028.

Technical design and storage impact

Developers selected the ML‑DSA‑44 digital signature algorithm, which was approved by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) in 2024, as the core of the quantum‑resistant scheme. The new signatures require 3,732 bytes for public keys and signatures, expanding each protected payment’s storage footprint to roughly 5,331 bytes compared with the present 1,704 bytes. Despite this increase, the foundation intends to keep transaction fees unchanged, allowing users to adopt the upgrade without additional cost.

Implementation timeline and resources

The foundation outlined a roadmap that includes a quantum migration study in the first half of 2027, followed by continued development and testing. Estimated expenses range from $215,000 to $255,000 for technical reviews and security audits, alongside about 640 development hours. Ongoing work also addresses inconsistencies in key generation across Python, JavaScript, and server implementations.

CoinGape noted that the quantum‑resistant amendment coincides with other recent XRP Ledger proposals, such as tighter controls on stablecoin minting and a batch amendment that lets users combine multiple transactions into a single operation. Additionally, Ripple approved a separate proposal allowing third parties to sponsor transaction fees and reserves for certain accounts.

What to watch next

Observers will be looking for the first set of performance tests from validators using the ML‑DSA‑44 signatures, which have not yet been published. Further updates are expected on the interoperability of the new key formats across wallet software and on any regulatory feedback as the upgrade moves toward its 2028 target.