Bitcoin Q-Day recovery proposal aims to let users prove ownership after quantum attack. Project Eleven says a new post-quantum cryptographic proof could help Bitcoin users recover wallets after Q-Day by verifying ownership. Jul 16, 2026 In brief. * Project Eleven introduced a post-quantum proof designed to verify Bitcoin wallet ownership after Q-Day. * The implementation was developed with Binius maintainer Jim Posen and builds on earlier academic research. * The prototype is unaudited and would require blockchain protocol support before it could be used. As concerns over Bitcoin's quantum security continue to grow, security firm Project Eleven on Thursday unveiled a cryptographic technique designed to address a major concern by allowing users to prove ownership of a wallet after quantum computers become capable of deriving private keys and generating valid digital signatures. In a thread on X on Wednesday, Project Eleven CEO Alex Pruden said the central challenge isn't protecting wallets from quantum attacks - it's proving who owns them once those attacks become possible. "How do you prove you still own a wallet after a quantum computer can forge its signatures?" Pruden wrote. "After Q-Day, once a quantum computer can derive an ECC private key from its public key, a valid signature no longer proves ownership. Both the quantum adversary and the legitimate owner are able to produce identical signatures." "Q-Day" refers to the moment when a quantum computer can break the elliptic curve cryptography that secures Bitcoin transactions. The concern in the industry is that an attacker could use a quantum computer to derive a private key from a public key, making digital signatures unreliable as proof of wallet ownership. What that means in practice is that an attacker could target vulnerable wallets, forge their digital signature and move Bitcoin without the owner's permission. Project Eleven's technique uses a wallet's key derivation path, allowing users to prove they control the parent key used to generate a wallet's private key without revealing it. Because a quantum computer cannot reconstruct that parent key, the company says it can distinguish a legitimate owner from an attacker even after a wallet's private key has been compromised. "So even after Q-Day, an attacker who's broken your address's private key does not hold, and can't compute, the seed phrase it was derived from. Proving you know that parent key, without revealing it, is something only the real owner can do," Pruden wrote. According to Pruden, the work was developed in collaboration with Jim Posen, lead maintainer of the open-source Binius zero-knowledge proof system, and builds on a technique known as "signature lifting," first proposed by researchers Alon Sattath and Robert Wyborski. Project Eleven funded Posen to implement the approach using Binius, an open-source proof system designed to accelerate hash-heavy cryptographic operations. The proposed recovery mechanism is intended for users who miss a future migration to quantum-safe addresses and comes as efforts to prepare Bitcoin for a post-quantum future accelerate. Coinbase's quantum advisory council is urging blockchain developers to begin preparing for a post-quantum future now, arguing that the technical work of upgrading Bitcoin, Ethereum, and other networks shouldn't wait for consensus on what to do with vulnerable or abandoned coins. In a new report released Thursday, the council identified one of the most contentious questions facing the industry of what happens to the cryptocurrency whose owners never migrate to quantum-safe addresses. "No quantum...

Ripple partners with Project Eleven to protect XRPL from quantum threats. Editor's Choice May 21, 2026 5-8 minutes Key Takeaways * Ripple and Project Eleven launched a full XRPL quantum security audit to protect validators, wallets, custody, and network systems early. * Quantum computing could one day break current blockchain encryption, exposing wallets, signatures, and sensitive on-chain data. * Ripple warns that attackers may already be collecting encrypted blockchain data today to decrypt later once quantum computing advances. The threat of quantum computing breaking modern encryption isn't here yet, but Ripple isn't waiting around. The blockchain payments company has teamed up with cryptography firm Project Eleven to harden the XRP Ledger against future quantum attacks, launching a wide-ranging security audit covering validator systems, custody technology, wallet architecture, and network-level components. The companies say the focus is on building production-ready defenses, not theoretical research. The stakes are real: quantum computers powerful enough to crack today's encryption standards could render most blockchain infrastructure dangerously exposed. For a ledger moving billions in cross-border payments, that's a countdown worth taking seriously. Why quantum computing keeps blockchain developers up at night. Most blockchains today rely on cryptographic systems such as elliptic-curve cryptography to secure wallets, transactions, and digital signatures. These systems hold up well against traditional computers, but researchers believe that sufficiently advanced quantum machines could break them far faster, giving rise to what the industry calls "Q-Day," the point at which existing blockchain security effectively collapses. The concern isn't purely hypothetical. Ripple warns that attackers may already be harvesting encrypted blockchain data today, banking on a "decrypt later" strategy once quantum technology catches up. It's a slow-burn threat, but one with a hard deadline baked in. Blockchain makes this harder to ignore. Every transaction and wallet record is stored on-chain permanently, with no way to delete or overwrite it. That means data exposed today remains a target indefinitely, which is why many developers argue preparation cannot wait. What the audit actually covers. Ripple and Project Eleven are not stopping at a basic security review. The audit covers several key layers of the XRP Ledger, each facing its own risks in a quantum-powered future. A. Validator infrastructure. Validators keep XRPL's consensus mechanism running, and the audit will test whether their communication systems, signing mechanisms, and node security can withstand future quantum attacks. The companies will also explore how validator networks can shift toward quantum-safe cryptographic standards without slowing down the network or disrupting transactions. B. Wallet security. The review will examine how XRPL wallets manage private keys, signatures, and account protection. Ripple and Project Eleven are reportedly building quantum-resistant wallet models to support a future migration away from traditional cryptography. A key advantage here is XRPL's native key rotation feature, which lets users swap cryptographic keys without changing their wallet address, making upgrades far less disruptive than on most other networks. C. Custody systems. Custody providers hold large amounts of digital assets for exchanges and institutional investors, and the audit will assess how these systems can adopt quantum-resistant encryption without disrupting daily operations. Project Eleven is also building a prototype custody wallet built from the ground up for post-quantum environments. D. Network and communication layers. The audit also looks at how data moves across the XRPL network, covering encrypted messaging, node communications, and authentication systems. The goal is simple: protect every layer of the ecosystem, not just the most visible ones. Ripple's road to quantum-resistant infrastructure. The audit is just one piece of a larger plan. Ripple has set a target to make the XRP Ledger fully quantum-resistant by 2028, with a four-phase roadmap designed to achieve this without breaking what already works. * Researching and testing post-quantum cryptographic systems. * Introducing hybrid signature models that blend current encryption with quantum-resistant protections. * Building migration tools for users and institutions. * Gradually rolling out quantum-safe infrastructure upgrades across the network. Hybrid systems help make the transition smoother. Ripple sees them as a bridge between old and new encryption, keeping the network stable throughout the transition. The company is also clear that, through every phase, speed, scalability, and low transaction costs are non-negotiable. Governments and tech firms are also preparing for the quantum transition. Ripple is not the only one taking this seriously. Governments, cybersecurity agencies, and major technology companies worldwide are already moving away from cryptographic systems that quantum computing could eventually break. Several U.S. agencies and standards organizations have begun developing post-quantum cryptography frameworks to protect sensitive infrastructure over the coming decade. For Ripple, the message is straightforward: blockchain networks moving global financial value cannot afford to wait until the threat becomes immediate. The time to prepare is now. What this means for XRP Ledger users. For everyday XRPL users, nothing changes right now. But the partnership signals that Ripple is laying the groundwork for long-term security upgrades that could shape how the network operates for decades to come. If the initiative delivers, users can expect: * New wallet standards built for a post-quantum environment. * Upgraded signing systems and stronger account protection. * Security tools designed specifically for blockchain in a quantum era. * A smoother, less disruptive migration compared to networks that wait too long. By starting early, Ripple is aiming to avoid the rushed, high-risk transitions that could become unavoidable if quantum computing advances faster than the industry expects. Final thoughts. Quantum computing may still be years away from posing a real threat, but the window to prepare is closing faster than most realize. Ripple's partnership with Project Eleven is a clear signal that the crypto industry cannot afford to treat post-quantum security as a future problem. By starting the audit now and building a clear path to 2028, Ripple is choosing to get ahead of the problem rather than scramble when it arrives. The crypto industry has long been reactive when it comes to security. If the plan holds, the XRP Ledger could enter the quantum era as one of the few blockchain networks that was ready before it had to be. Frequently asked questions. What is Ripple doing to protect the XRP Ledger from quantum computing? Ripple partnered with Project Eleven to launch a full post-quantum security audit for the XRP Ledger. The initiative focuses on protecting validators, wallets, custody systems, and network infrastructure from future quantum-powered cyber threats. Why is quantum computing considered a threat to blockchain networks? Quantum computers could eventually break the cryptographic systems that secure blockchain wallets, transactions, and digital signatures today. If that happens, attackers may be able to access private keys, forge transactions, or decrypt sensitive blockchain data. What is "Q-Day" in crypto and blockchain? "Q-Day" refers to the moment when quantum computers become powerful enough to crack current encryption standards used across blockchain networks and the internet. Many developers believe blockchain projects must prepare years in advance to avoid major security risks. How could quantum computing affect XRP Ledger wallets? If quantum attacks become possible in the future, wallets using older cryptographic systems could become vulnerable. Ripple says XRPL's built-in key rotation feature may help users migrate to quantum-resistant security without changing wallet addresses. Is Ripple planning to make XRPL fully quantum-resistant? Ripple has announced a roadmap aiming to make the XRP Ledger quantum-resistant by 2028. The plan includes hybrid cryptography, migration tools, infrastructure upgrades, and post-quantum security testing.

Ripple taps Project Eleven for XRPL quantum defense. The collaboration focuses on testing XRPL systems and building quantum-resistant tools to protect wallets and network security. Last updated: 2 hours ago Published 2 hours ago Show AI Summary Ripple and the XRP Ledger Foundation have partnered with quantum-security firm Project Eleven to strengthen the XRP Ledger (XRPL) against future risks tied to quantum computing. The collaboration will focus on testing vulnerabilities across XRPL wallets, validators, custody systems, and core network infrastructure while developing new security tools designed to withstand potential quantum-based attacks. The initiative comes as concerns grow across the crypto industry that future advances in quantum computing could eventually weaken or break the encryption systems protecting major blockchain networks. The U.S. government plans to phase out vulnerable encryption standards by 2035, while companies including Google and Cloudflare are reportedly aiming to strengthen parts of their systems before the end of the decade. Quantum risks move closer to reality. Project Eleven CEO and Co-Founder Alex Pruden said blockchain companies must now move beyond research and begin preparing practical defenses against future quantum computing risks. He warned that most blockchain networks still face the same underlying cryptographic vulnerability despite years of theoretical discussions around the issue. Pruden stated, "Every major blockchain is exposed to the same cryptographic vulnerability, but most of the response has stayed at the research stage." He added, "This engagement is about execution. Ripple is treating quantum risk as a practical engineering problem. That's the right approach." RippleX Head of Engineering J. Ayo Akinyele also described quantum security as a growing technical challenge rather than a distant threat. He said, "The quantum threat isn't hypothetical. It is an engineering challenge with a clear timeline." As a result, Ripple plans to rely on XRPL's validator coordination and key rotation infrastructure to accelerate future security upgrades. The partnership will include a broader review of XRPL's validator systems, custody infrastructure, wallets, and network architecture. Additionally, Project Eleven plans to develop hybrid digital signatures combining existing encryption methods with quantum-resistant protections. The company will also build a quantum-secure custody wallet prototype alongside performance testing and production-ready security tools. Bitcoin and BNB Chain face similar concerns. The broader crypto industry already faces mounting pressure as quantum computing research advances faster than many developers expected. Earlier this year, Google researchers warned that future quantum attacks against Bitcoin and Ethereum may require far fewer computing resources than previous estimates suggested. The researchers said fewer than 500,000 physical qubits could eventually break today's blockchain encryption systems. Project Eleven estimates that roughly 6.9 million Bitcoin currently sit in wallets with publicly exposed keys, making them potential long-term targets if quantum systems become powerful enough. As a result, security researchers increasingly warn that attackers could eventually use Shor's algorithm to crack private keys and access funds once quantum hardware matures. Alex Pruden recently told developers during Consensus Miami that delaying upgrades could create much larger risks across the crypto sector later. His comments reflected growing concern that blockchain networks may not have enough time to transition toward quantum-resistant security standards once practical quantum systems arrive. Meanwhile, BNB Chain has already begun testing new security upgrades designed to protect its network from future quantum computing threats. Developers recently introduced updated transaction signatures and added new consensus protections during internal trials. However, the testing also exposed several technical challenges. The upgrades slowed parts of the network and increased transaction sizes, showing that blockchain systems still face major performance hurdles before quantum-resistant security can work efficiently at scale. Disclaimer: The information researched and reported by The Crypto Times is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional financial advice. Investing in crypto assets involves significant risk due to market volatility. Always Do Your Own Research (DYOR) and consult with a qualified Financial Advisor before making any investment decisions. Kenrodgers Fabian is a Content Writer with over 3 years of experience in crypto news, data analysis, and IT. With a degree in Health Records and Information Technology, he brings a structured and analytical approach to digital reporting. Kenrodgers focuses on delivering accurate, informative content that helps readers stay updated on the latest trends in crypto and emerging technologies. Divya Mistry is a Content Editor with over 9 years of experience in news, PR, marketing, and research. Armed with a Master's Degree in English Literature from the University of Mumbai, she specializes in crafting and refining long-form content across digital and print platforms. Over the years, Divya has contributed to and shaped content for leading brands across a range of industries, including real estate, healthcare, vertical transport, entertainment, lifestyle, education, EdTech, tech, and finance. Her research work has been featured on platforms like DNA India, Forbes, and Elevator World India. She now brings her editorial and research skills to explore the rapidly evolving world of cryptocurrency.