Ripple has announced a strategic partnership with cryptography firm Project Eleven to prepare the XRP Ledger (XRPL) for the era of powerful quantum computers. The collaboration, disclosed on May 19, 2026, aims to identify and mitigate cryptographic vulnerabilities that experts warn could eventually break the security of major blockchain networks.
Project Eleven, founded in 2024 and backed by a $20 million funding round led by Castle Island Ventures in January 2026, will conduct a comprehensive quantum security audit of XRPL’s validator, custody, networking, and wallet layers. Following the assessment, the partners plan to deploy quantum-resistant hybrid signature systems on top of existing XRPL signature standards. The roadmap also includes building a quantum-secure custodial wallet prototype, with Project Eleven delivering working code, performance data, and production-ready solutions.
RippleX Head of Engineering J. Ayo Akinyele emphasized that the quantum threat is no longer theoretical. He highlighted XRPL’s native account-based architecture and built-in key rotation as advantages that allow users to transition to post-quantum signatures without changing recognized wallet addresses. “Our goal is not to react when Q-Day arrives, but to be ready for production before the need arises,” Akinyele said.
Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden noted that while most blockchain entities are still in the research phase regarding quantum risk, Ripple is treating the issue as a “practical engineering problem.” The move aligns with broader governmental and corporate timelines: the U.S. government targets a 2035 phase-out of quantum-vulnerable encryption, while tech giants like Google and Cloudflare aim for post-quantum security by 2029.
XRPL’s official account on X (formerly Twitter) echoed the announcement, stating the ledger is “built for the Quantum Era” and describing the partnership as a step-by-step move toward stronger system-wide security.
