Nearly Half of Total Supply Exposed…XRP Security Debate Reignites

▲ XRP, Quantum Computer/AI Generated Image ©

A significant portion of the total XRP (Ripple) supply is exposed to future quantum computer threats, reigniting the debate over long-term security risks.

According to cryptocurrency media outlet Bitcoinist on May 1 (local time), an analysis of 7,810,364 accounts on the XRP Ledger revealed that approximately 76.82 billion XRP have already had their public keys exposed. These are accounts where public keys have been revealed on-chain through signed transactions and are categorized as potential targets for attack if quantum computers advance in the future.

This analysis points to a 'future response problem' rather than an immediate hacking risk. While active users can move assets to new secure accounts if quantum-resistant cryptographic technology is introduced, the problem lies with dormant accounts that have not moved for a long time. Accounts where keys are lost or inaccessible cannot be addressed, potentially remaining vulnerable points in the future.

This structure is confirmed by actual data. Approximately 96% of quantum-exposed XRP belongs to active accounts, indicating a high likelihood of movement. However, 3.83% of the total exposed volume, or 2.94% of the total supply, is tied up in accounts that have been dormant for more than 5 years and have exposed public keys. Notably, early accounts from 2013 accounted for approximately 0.024% of the total.

However, some assessments suggest this risk is lower than for Bitcoin. According to the analysis, untransferred early Bitcoin holdings, such as those in Satoshi Nakamoto's wallet, account for about 5% of the total supply, indicating a larger exposure to quantum risk compared to XRP. Ultimately, the problem is closer to 'social consensus' than technology.

Meanwhile, approximately 27% of all accounts are still classified as quantum-safe, holding about 23.16 billion XRP. These are accounts that have never transacted or use new key structures. However, multisig wallets are not entirely safe either. Approximately 36.6 billion XRP, or 36.6% of the total supply, is held in about 242 multisig wallets. The analysis indicates that some of their signing keys have already been exposed, requiring continuous key rotation management.

Ultimately, while XRP is technically quantum-resistant, the real risk is likely to arise from 'immobile assets.' The outlet predicts that user participation, along with future network upgrades, will be a key variable determining the level of security.

*Disclaimer: This article is for investment reference only, and we are not responsible for any investment losses based on it. The content should be interpreted for informational purposes only.*