With so-called quantum risk in focus as advances in quantum computing could threaten existing cryptographic systems, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) was singled out as a leading example of a response.

On April 7, blockchain outlet The Crypto Basic reported that asset manager Grayscale, citing Google Quantum AI research in a recent report, mentioned XRPL as a network that has already begun preparing for a post-quantum environment.

Grayscale’s head of research Zach Pandl (잭 팬들) explained that in the 1990s, MIT mathematician Peter Shor presented an algorithm that can use quantum computers to solve problems that underpin modern cryptography. He also noted that while the capability has not yet been implemented at scale, the situation could change rapidly in coming years.

A key point highlighted by Google’s research was uncertainty over timing. It said that progress in quantum computing could appear as a sudden leap rather than building gradually, meaning a strategy of delaying preparation could increase risk. Google put the required computing power at about 1,200 to 1,450 logical qubits, and Grayscale stressed the need for proactive preparation such as technology upgrades, community agreement and managing performance degradation even before reaching that stage.

In that context, XRPL was assessed as a network testing post-quantum cryptography in a real-world environment. The report said related technologies have already undergone expert validation and been applied in some systems, and that Solana (SOL) and others, along with XRPL, are experimenting with response measures.

Grayscale particularly highlighted XRPL’s key rotation. It cited as a strength a design that allows cryptographic schemes to be replaced through validator consensus without halting the network or changing user accounts. Grayscale assessed that this structure could also help strengthen security for real-world assets (RWA).

On the development side, work is also continuing. XRPL is testing new cryptographic standards on AlphaNet, aiming to secure quantum resistance by applying algorithms approved by the U.S. National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). In December 2025, it introduced the lattice-based post-quantum cryptography scheme CRYSTALS-Dilithium, now ML-DSA, adding quantum-resistant features across transactions, accounts and consensus. The feature, however, remains in testing and has not yet been applied to the mainnet.

The report also noted that quantum vulnerabilities do not apply equally to all blockchains. It said exposure differs depending on factors such as UTXO models like Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum’s (ETH) account-based structure, consensus mechanisms (PoW and PoS) and whether smart contracts are supported.

For Bitcoin in particular, the report added that while its structural technical risk could be relatively low, a bigger challenge may be reaching community agreement on how to handle assets tied to lost or inaccessible private keys.