Algorand launches real-time quantum security accounts, Ripple targets upgrades in 2028

Algorand deploys quantum-resistant accounts, Ripple aims to upgrade

As a financial application blockchain platform known for its scalability and security, Algorand launched the native Falcon-1024 quantum-resistant account on its main network in August this year. Although Algorand's move marks a step towards quantum security, experts point out that the network's transition has not yet been completed because many key elements still rely on the Ed25519 encryption algorithm, which is not quantum secure.

Algorand and Ripple's Quantum Security Initiative

Falcon-1024 is a post-quantum signature scheme that supports Algorand's recent efforts. Since 2022, State Proofs has been included in the algorithm. With the upgrade of v5.0.0, support for Falcon-1024 accounts was officially activated around August 20 this year.

In the first few weeks after activation, users created approximately 1,800 Falcon-powered quantum elasticity accounts and processed more than 1.2 million transactions. These accounts coexist with traditional Ed25519 accounts, and trading networks using Falcon-1024 cost more-three times the minimum fee for classic accounts. The Algorand Foundation's current roadmap shows that broader quantum elasticity, including post-quantum VRF[verifiable random functions] and consensus mechanisms, will be achieved in 2027.

Micro Dictionary: Falcon-1024 is a post-quantum digital signature algorithm designed to withstand quantum computer attacks that could undermine widely used encryption schemes.

An Algorand user named Todd admitted on the community channel that while the two core post-quantum components are already working normally, the most challenging parts-consensus and web-wide implementation-are still in progress. Algorand is currently leading the way in deploying post-quantum (PQ) accounts, but the transition continues across the protocol stack.

Ripple's comprehensive audit and roadmap

Ripple, the company behind XRP Ledger (XRPL), also prioritizes quantum security. Ripple is funding research from Project Eleven to review all aspects of security, including verification, hosting, network and wallet technologies, rather than just focusing on account signing. The Ripple plan's roadmap includes hybrid quantum-classical testing around 2027, with the goal of achieving comprehensive post-quantum readiness by 2028. This timetable is an estimate provided by contributors and was not approved as an official amendment on the XRPL website.

A feature of XRP Ledger called RegularKey allows users to rotate signing keys without changing the account address, making key management more flexible when employing large post-quantum signature schemes. XRPL developers have tried ML-DSA and Dilisium (both post-quantum candidates) on AlphaNet, but production environment deployment is still pending.

Micro Dictionary: ML-DSA and Dilisium are advanced cryptographic signature schemes that remain secure even if quantum computers become powerful enough to crack today's standard public key cryptosystems.

Although Algorand pioneered quantum-resistant accounts, Ripple focuses on conducting a comprehensive security review before launching similar updates for the mainnet. Ethereum, another major blockchain company, also maintains a public timetable for its own quantum resistance measures, expected to be 2029.

The focus of debate in the blockchain community has shifted from "which project discussed quantum elasticity first" to "which projects are actually upgrading signature, consensus and verifier software to deal with future quantum computing threats."

Security Impact and Industry Outlook

Experts emphasize that quantum risk revolves around the potential of "collect now, decrypt later" attack, where malicious actors collect public keys today and not decrypt assets until quantum hardware is available. Deploying Falcon-driven accounts closes some of the risk window, but the consensus mechanism based on elliptic curve encryption remains fragile.

The difference between Algorand and XRPL methods lies in the implementation strategy: Algorand prioritizes early access and transaction volume for Falcon-based accounts, while XRPL has the advantages of audit breadth and key rotation flexibility. Both projects are working towards comprehensive post-quantum readiness, but neither has completed the migration at the consensus level.

Industry analysts believe that it will take several years for blockchain protocols to achieve full quantum resistance. Collaboration between projects may ultimately accelerate solid industry-wide upgrades.

Before the protocol shifted consensus and signature schemes to post-quantum cryptography, no matter how advanced wallet security technology advanced, the network remained fragile.