Ripple Labs continues to prepare the $XRP Ledger for the potential quantum threat, but now a broader issue has come into focus—the ability of financial infrastructure to adapt to the simultaneous development of quantum computing and artificial intelligence.
In an interview with CoinDesk, Ripple Labs Senior Director of Engineering Ayo Akinyele stated that the main challenge is not waiting for the so-called Q-Day, but rather building infrastructure capable of transitioning to new security mechanisms in advance without disrupting network operations.
Security Becomes an Infrastructure Issue
According to Akinyele, the potential transition of the $XRP Ledger to post-quantum cryptography cannot be reduced to simply replacing one signature algorithm with another.
"This upgrade will extend far beyond simply replacing one cryptographic algorithm with another," he noted, emphasizing the need for more flexible infrastructure, better key management, and clear upgrade mechanisms.
He also pointed out that financial systems were historically not designed with quantum computers in mind, adding that as quantum capabilities grow, financial institutions will have to rethink the protection of transactions, identities, assets, and sensitive data.
It is worth noting that the development of quantum technology has already become a subject of government investment. For instance, in May 2026, IBM and the U.S. Department of Commerce announced the creation of the country's first specialized quantum factory, with total project funding from the government and IBM amounting to approximately $2 billion.
In June 2026, U.S. President Donald Trump also signed two executive orders aimed at protecting the country from potential quantum attacks and developing relevant technologies. One of the documents stipulates the beginning of the transition of federal structures to post-quantum cryptography by the end of 2030.
AI Agents Create New Demands for Payments
Artificial intelligence is emerging as a separate risk factor. Ripple Labs notes that AI and quantum computing are different technologies, but both compel financial infrastructure to adapt more quickly to new attack models and automated operations.
"Artificial intelligence is driving the growth of automation and increasingly autonomous economic activity, while quantum computing is forcing the industry to think more thoroughly about how to secure these systems," explained Akinyele.
In the view of the Ripple Labs representative, the changes are already moving beyond theoretical scenarios. AI agents are gradually gaining the ability to independently conduct transactions and pay for services without manual user confirmation for each operation.
According to him, this creates a demand for a payment infrastructure that is always on and internet-oriented.
At the same time, Ripple Labs believes that early preparation will give blockchains more opportunities for a secure transition.
"The goal is for the final transition to be deliberate and orderly, not something the ecosystem must carry out in response to a crisis," noted Akinyele.
Previously, Ripple Labs presented a four-stage strategy for preparing the $XRP Ledger for post-quantum cryptography, targeting a complete transition by 2028. Unlike the initial plan, the company's current focus is shifting towards the broader problem of financial infrastructure adaptability—taking into account not only quantum computers but also the development of AI attacks and autonomous payments.
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