Cryptocurrency payment company Ripple aims to transform the funding model for the development of the XRP Ledger (XRPL) blockchain into a more decentralized structure.
The company announced a shift to a new financing framework in which independent organizations, venture capital partners, and community-led initiatives will take on a greater role for developers within the ecosystem.
The company, valued at approximately $40 billion and using XRP cryptocurrency for cross-border payments, announced both this strategic shift and new developer support programs in a blog post. Ripple stated that as the ecosystem matures, it is becoming increasingly important for developers to have access to funding “through multiple independent channels” so they can scale their projects.
Historically, a significant portion of funding within the XRP Ledger ecosystem came through Ripple-backed startups. The company is now aiming to create a healthier structure by transitioning to a multi-channel model where developers can find funding from various sources.
This move is seen as part of an effort to reduce the perception that Ripple has excessive influence and control over the XRP Ledger. While Ripple and the XRP Ledger are technically separate entities, the fact that a significant number of its founders went on to establish Ripple or hold high-level positions within the company following the launch of the XRP Ledger in 2012 has strengthened the close relationship between the two structures.
Ripple is also the largest holder of XRP. According to data released in March 2025, the company held approximately $57 billion worth of XRP, representing roughly two-thirds of the circulating supply. Ripple also remains one of the largest developers of the XRP Ledger.
In a blog post, Ripple outlined a number of new initiatives to diversify developer funding:
- A new program will be launched on the XRP Ledger aimed at supporting startups developing applications in areas such as stablecoin payments, credit infrastructure, tokenization, and regulated financial services.
- XAO DAO: Founded in June, this decentralized autonomous organization aims to increase community engagement through micro-granting and foster a culture of rapid experimentation.
- XRPL Commons: The non-profit organization will continue its activities supporting XRP Ledger development.
- XRP Asia: Will continue to provide support to developers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ripple also stated that university collaborations and venture capital partners such as Dragonfly Capital, Pantera Capital, and Franklin Templeton will play a significant role in the funding process. The company’s statement included the following: “The goal is to ensure that no single organization becomes the one-stop shop for ecosystem support.”
*This is not investment advice.