Stellar Unveils Quantum-Safe Wallet Upgrade Roadmap
The Stellar Development Foundation has published a Quantum Preparedness Plan that asks XLM holders to eventually add quantum-safe signers to their wallets. The rollout starts in 2026 and stretches past 2027, and it’s a precaution rather than a response to any active threat. The plan answers a question millions of users have been asking: when and how do they protect their funds from future quantum computers?
Why Stellar Is Moving Now
The concern comes down to one piece of math. A powerful enough quantum computer running Shor’s algorithm could break the elliptic curve cryptography that secures Stellar and most other blockchains, including the Ed25519 signature scheme. If that happens, an attacker could derive a private key from a public key and drain the account.
Recent research has pushed the timeline forward. Scientists at INRIA cut the number of logical qubits needed to crack 256-bit elliptic curves, and NIST now thinks the risk could surface by 2029 or sooner. Google and other large companies are aiming for post-quantum readiness around the same window, which is why blockchain teams are rushing to adapt.
For everyday users, account takeover is the sharpest risk. The network also holds a large number of dormant accounts, and those sit exposed if their owners never upgrade.
What the Upgrade Involves
Stellar’s account structure gives it some breathing room. The account identity, that familiar “G…” address, sits separately from the signing keys. So holders won’t need to move funds or switch addresses. They’ll add quantum-resistant signers to accounts they already own.
The work happens in stages, according to the QPP roadmap. Stage 1 begins in 2026 and focuses on Soroban smart contracts, adding support for post-quantum signature verification with NIST-standard algorithms such as ML-DSA-44 and ML-DSA-65. Enterprise and advanced users can test quantum-safe contract accounts during this period.
Stage 2 lands in 2027 and carries more weight for regular holders. It introduces native quantum-safe signer types for classic accounts through a Core Advancement Proposal. By the end of that year, every Stellar account should support quantum-resistant signatures alongside its existing Ed25519 keys. That dual-signer setup lets the transition happen slowly, without breaking transaction history.
Stage 3 would eventually retire Ed25519 for new transactions, though Stellar says the exact date depends on how fast quantum hardware advances.
Regular XLM holders don’t need to do anything yet. The Foundation advises users to watch official SDF channels, exchange notices and wallet updates, and to ignore any third-party link promoting an urgent “quantum wallet upgrade” before official support arrives. Zero-knowledge proof systems on Stellar still need more research, since they rely on vulnerable curves. Inaction later could leave assets exposed, so the message is preparation, not panic.