Ripple CTO Weighs In: Why A Higher XRP Price Is Beneficial For Adoption

In an era where crypto analysis is ever-evolving, some sentiments retain their significance. This was underscored when XRP influencer Crypto Eri delved into a statement from Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, that, although over five years old, still echoes pertinently within today’s cryptocurrency discourse.

When Crypto Eri shed light on this older response from Schwartz, she revisited a debate on XRP’s value dynamics. The query, which originated on Quora, surrounded the speculation that institutions might prefer XRP’s price to remain low for optimizing transaction processes. However, Schwartz’s comprehensive clarification brought forth an opposing perspective.

Ripple CTO Weighs In On XRP Price And Liquidity

Schwartz articulated that the presumption of banks or financial entities wanting a subdued XRP price is an overreach. He pointed out a fundamental relationship, stating, “Higher prices tend to correlate with higher liquidity, which means cheaper payments.” To elucidate further, he ventured into the intricacies of how XRP functions as a payment medium.

Drawing an analogy with Bitcoin, Schwartz offered a more vivid understanding. If one were to transact $1 million at a time when Bitcoin was valued at a mere $100, the liquidity constraints would induce significant price volatility. As Schwartz elaborated, “… trying to buy enough Bitcoin to buy the house, you’d push the price up significantly. And when the recipient tried to convert those bitcoins into their local currency, they’d push the price down significantly.”

However, as Bitcoin rose and crossed the $10,000 threshold (at the time of Schwartz’s contribution), its vulnerability to price fluctuations for larger transactions had decreased. Schwartz attributed this stability to the increased value, which requires a smaller share of total assets to facilitate significant transfers.

When drawing parallels, he emphasized that XRP behaves similarly. Therefore, a rising XRP price would undoubtedly make it a superior channel for high-value transactions for the Ripple payment solutions.

Schwartz Clarifies (More) Rumors

Beyond this age-old yet continually relevant perspective, Schwartz remains active in enlightening the community on diverse XRP-related queries. Addressing a recent Twitter proposition about XRP potentially bolstering the top 1%, Schwartz replied with a rebuttal, “I’m not sure I understand this claim. The top 1% of what exactly? XRP empowers anyone who wants to use the ledger to track the ownership and exchange of assets. What kind of control is he talking about exactly?”

On speculations of the Department of Homeland Security’s capability to ‘hack’ XRP, Schwartz demystified, “I’m not sure what a hack of XRP would even mean. The ledger contents are public. The rules are public… No such bug is known, of course. And any exploited bug would be fixed, so you couldn’t hack it the same way twice.”

Lastly, when probing the connection between an old patent of his and XRP’s architectural design, Schwartz elucidated, “I can’t see any real connection between my patent and XRPL design… the patent became mostly irrelevant.”

At press time, XRP traded at $0.4952.

XRP price

Major Milestones Shows XRP Ledger Is Becoming A DeFi Force To Be Reckoned With

After the XRP token recorded an all-time high in daily trading volumes for crypto exchanges in the US, the Ripple ecosystem has achieved a new milestone, successfully hitting over 82 million registered ledgers on its XRP Ledger. 

XRP Ledger Surpasses 82 Million Ledgers

XRP Ledger, a decentralized public blockchain backing the XRP token has gained recognition for its unique consensus algorithm and incorporation of the XLS-20 protocol. The leading cryptographic ledger reported that it had closed approximately 82,035,421 registered ledgers on its blockchain. 

This achievement follows another milestone in August where XRPL successfully locked in 81 million ledgers. The blockchain ledger’s rapid growth has been a significant achievement for the ecosystem, emphasizing XRPL’s commitment to decentralization and focus on speed, scalability, and security. 

A blockchain researcher, Collin Brown announced details of XRPL’s recent achievements in an X (formerly Twitter) post on Thursday, September 21. Brown was enthusiastic about the current development in the XRP ecosystem and even suggested that the XRP blockchain ledger is on its way to becoming an adversary to crypto giants in the space like Bitcoin and Ethereum. 

“With over 82 million ledgers successfully closed, the XRPL continues to make history. The XRPL’s growth in NFTs positions it as a STRONG competitor to Ethereum, paving the way for increased XRP adoption!” Brown said. 

XLS-20 Feature Drive Crypto Adoption And Growth For XRPL

The XRP Ledger has long been celebrated for its advanced scalability and decentralization features. However, with the introduction of the XLS-20 feature in 2022, XRPL has emerged as a force to be reckoned with in the NFT ecosystem

The XLS-20 protocol delivers new features to the XRP ledger. According to Brown, XLS-20 is integrated with special features like minting and burning, automated royalties, DEX integration, and traditional NFTs. 

XRPL has also recorded over 1.9 million NFTs minted on the ledger and almost 30,000 user accounts own 1.6 million of the minted NFTs. Additionally, approximately $12.8 million worth of NFT assets have been sold in one-step transactions on the blockchain. 

While XRPL’s foray into the NFT sector has sparked major interest among creators and collectors in the space, the XRPL ecosystem has also reported upcoming upgrades in its layer 2 smart contract platform, Evernode

According to reports, the Evernode network will be featuring new upgrades that improve the reliability and sustainability of the platform, while also furthering crypto and NFT adoption and innovation in the space.

XRP price chart from Tradingview.com (XRP Ledger)

Incoming Milestone Could Be Very Bullish For XRP Price, Here’s Why

Since Judge Analisa Torres’s ruling back in July that programmatic XRP sales do not qualify as securities, the token has been on an upward trajectory in terms of growth. This time around, the XRP Ledger is close to another enormous milestone, which could spell good news for the XRP price going forward.

Accounts On XRP Ledger Near 5 Million Mark

In an interesting turn of events, the number of accounts that are present on the XRP Ledger has been rising rapidly. This has seen the metric barrel toward the 5 million total accounts milestone as it is currently sitting at an impressive 4,781,844 million accounts, according to data from XPR Ledger Services.

The site’s data also shows other impressive metrics about the blockchain such as only 1,116 accounts on the Ledger are carrying a 0 balance. This means that only 0.023% of the entire XRP holder base on the ledger is carrying a 0 balance.

XRP Ledger accounts

Of the 100 billion total XRP supply, 58,682,136,692 (58.6%) are currently sitting in holder accounts, with 41,306,191,412 (41.3%) still held in escrow. This amount held in escrow is released periodically and was designed that way to last until the total XRP supply is exhausted.

Going further, a significant number of XRP tokens are also sitting as reserves (tokens in wallets that cannot be spent). The current Total Account Reserves came in at 47,818,440 and Total Owner Reserves is sitting at 13,608,012.

How Will It Affect The XRP Price?

The rapid rise in the number of accounts on the XRP Ledger points to an increase in interest from crypto investors. In this case, as interest rises, so will demand for the XRP token, which would, in turn, lead to a rise in the XRP price.

Analysts have also been incredibly bullish on the XRP price. In one instance, a Wells Fargo Manager forecasted that the price of the altcoin could rise as high as $500, citing Ripple capturing the cross-border payments sector by 2027.

Another interesting forecast put the XRP price at $10,000, once again, citing Ripple’s rising market share in the payments sector as a driver. A more conservative crypto analyst put the token’s price at $130 after it formed a rare triangle pattern on its chart.

Despite these very bullish predictions, the XRP price continues to struggle at this point. It is still trading well below the $0.5 resistance which has become the important level to beat. At the time of writing, it’s sitting at $0.49, recording meager gains of 0.03% on the daily chart. Although there is a more significant 5.52% gain on the weekly chart.

Ripple XRP price chart from Tradingview.com

XRPL Labs Reveals Smart Contract Sidechain For XRP Ledger, What This Means For The Altcoin

Earlier today, XRPL Labs divulged its latest development: Xahau Ledger, a smart contract sidechain integrated into the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem. This is said to enhance the capabilities of the XRP Ledger, pushing it a step closer to widespread retail adoption.

The announcement by XRPL Labs, the brain behind the XRP Ledger’s self-custody wallet named Xumm, has reignited excitement within the community, pointing toward significant advancements for this altcoin. However, so far, the altcoin remains in red down by 1% in the past 24 hours.

An Introduction To Xahau Ledger

On August 28, XRPL Labs conveyed its integration with the Xahau Ledger, characterizing it as an “ambitious move” to introduce multifaceted features to the XRP Ledger. This integration is seen as a catalyst, propelling the adoption of the altcoin and its foundational ledger.

Such progress firmly positions the XRP Ledger protocol to break new ground in the retail sector. Furthermore, XRPL Labs is in the phase of rolling out a comprehensive whitepaper for the Xahau Ledger.

As emphasized by the developers, this sidechain’s primary purpose is to infuse the XRPL ecosystem with smart contract capabilities.

The Vision For The Smart Contract Sidechain For XRP Ledger

Wietse Wind, the founder of XRPL Labs, in a recent update on X (formerly recognized as Twitter), disclosed the collaboration with prominent names, including GateHub, Alloy Networks, and EvernodeXRPL.

According to Wind, their joint efforts have led to the Xahau whitepaper’s publication, underscoring the potential of the Ledger-powered smart contracts. Wind envisions these contracts as pivotal in crafting solutions for daily life challenges.

The XRPL founder further disclosed his commitment to the XRP Ledger ecosystem. In his words:

We will continue to build for the entire XRP Ledger ecosystem, and everything we build will be open for the entire ecosystem to benefit from.

He further expressed his optimism for a multi-chain XRPL Protocol ecosystem, emphasizing the combination of XRPL Mainnet’s proven resilience with the limitless potential of Hooks.

Furthermore, Wind dropped hints about future updates to the Xumm wallet, indicating support for multiple XRPL Protocol networks, notably XRPL Mainnet and Xahau.

According to the founder, this is a move aimed at achieving the overarching vision of XRP retail adoption. To add to the anticipation, Wind hinted that Xahau might become operational before the year concludes.

XRP price chart on TradingView

Featured image from Unsplash, Chart from TradingView

The Spoils Of Victory: XRP Daily Transactions Surpass Ethereum

On the back of Ripple’s partial win over the United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), activity on the blockchain has ramped up quickly. This increase has now seen XRP beat out market leader Ethereum when it comes to the number of daily transactions carried out on the blockchain. 

Ripple Leading The Pack

While the euphoria from Judge Analisa Torres’s ruling has been waning, there is still enough left to continue to drive new milestones on Ripple’s XRP Ledger. The most prominent of these has been the number of transactions that are being carried out on the Ledger since the ruling.

Despite ending the month of July on a low note, the transactions have picked up in August. According to data from BitInfoCharts, daily transactions on the Ripple Ledger have consistently crossed 1 million since the start of August.

This puts XRPL ahead of leading blockchains such as Ethereum (ETH) and Bitcoin (BTC), both of which have seen daily transaction figures come out below 1 million this month. On August 2, which has been the best day of the month so far for Ripple, transaction figures crossed 1.3 million, compared to 1.04 million for Ethereum and 390,000 for Bitcoin.

XRP surpasses Ethereum

The new milestone comes after XRP first experienced a sharp drop in July. But since then, the blockchain has been on an upward trajectory. According to the present data, the XRP Network carried out 1.1173 million transactions on Thursday, August 9, almost double the number of its July 29 low of 612,000.

However, despite the rise in transaction numbers, XRP continues to lag behind Bitcoin and Ethereum in terms of volume. Coinmarketcap data shows Bitcoin’s volume over the last day was $14 billion, Ethereum was in second with $4.2 billion, while XRP volume came in at $1.7 billion.

Ripple (XRP) price chart from Tradingview.com

SEC’s Appeal Brings Down The XRP Momentum 

XRP had undoubtedly enjoyed a huge boost following Judge Analisa Torres’ partial summary judgment in favor of Ripple in its ongoing case against the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

XRP experienced a massive spike from $0.47 to $0.81 (+72%) on the 13th of July (the day the partial summary judgment was given). However, it has since then retracted to the present zone. The token has maintained its current price range since the start of August with no significant movement upwards since then. 

Furthermore, the SEC’s intention to file an interlocutory appeal may also draw down XRP’s momentum. In fact, XRP has reacted negatively to the aforementioned news as it is trading at around $0.6293, down 2.24% in the last 24 hours.

XRP Ledger’s L2 Smart Contract Development Reaches Key Stage

Evernode, the XRP Ledger (XRPL) Layer 2 platform, has shared a series of updates on its journey toward launch, offering insights into its progress and the challenges it has faced.

XRP Ledger Layer 2 Platform Audit Scheduled For Mid-August

Evernode is a Layer 2 platform that seeks to bring smart contracts to the XRP Ledger ecosystem via Hooks. The platform is being developed by a team of experienced developers working to enhance the XRP Ledger network with advanced functionalities.

In the first update, Evernode announced that the audit of their three hooks is tentatively scheduled to begin in mid-August. However, the team is still waiting for paperwork and funding from Ripple to confirm the audit, just like other XRPL Grants Grantees.

In the second update, the Evernode team shared that the Nomad contract proved more challenging than expected. The contract did not persist on the betanet, which helped the development team identify bugs and areas for improvement. The team has been working hard to resolve these issues and remains optimistic that they will overcome the obstacles soon.

Ultimately, Evernode appreciated the approximately 104 betahosts who have provided invaluable feedback in testing and improving the platform in a near-live environment.

These updates highlight the complexity of developing a Layer 2 platform for XRP Ledger and the importance of thorough testing and auditing. It also emphasizes the dedication and hard work of the Evernode team throughout the development process.

However, upon successful launch, Evernode’s platform will enable developers to build and deploy smart contracts on the XRP Ledger network, opening up new use cases and applications for the ecosystem. This will enable XRP Ledger to compete with other smart contract platforms such as Ethereum, which has gained significant traction in decentralized finance (DeFi).

Moreover, Evernode’s platform will help drive the adoption of XRP Ledger by attracting more developers to the ecosystem. As the number of developers grows, the network’s capabilities will expand, leading to more use cases and applications, ultimately driving adoption and value.

The development of Evernode’s Layer 2 platform for XRP Ledger is a significant milestone for the XRP Ledger community. It showcases the continued innovation and development within the ecosystem, which are critical for its growth and success.

Overall, Evernode’s updates on the progress toward launching a Layer 2 platform for XRP Ledger demonstrate the importance of rigorous testing and auditing in developing complex systems. 

The successful launch of the platform will open up new opportunities for developers, potentially driving adoption and growth in the XRP Ledger ecosystem. 

XRP

At the time of writing, XRP has encountered a sideways price movement since Monday. As the fourth largest cryptocurrency in the market regarding trading volume and market capitalization, it is currently trading at $0.7119, representing a decrease of 1.6% over the last 24 hours.

Featured image from Unsplash, chart from TradingView.com 

Ripple Partners With Republic Of Palau To Develop National Digital Currency

Digital payment network Ripple has partnered with the Republic of Palau to develop its own digital currency. The payment network is still on a mission to dominate the global payments industry. That is, despite the issues it is dealing with in the U.S.

Related Reading | SEC Takes Blow In Action Against Ripple, Will It Impact XRP Price?

Like El Salvador, the country does not have its own fiat currency or even a Central Bank. Its legal tender, instead, is the U.S. dollar. The partnership with Ripple will focus on developing a USD-backed digital currency, more like a stablecoin rather than a central bank digital currency (CBDC). This currency would help facilitate cross-border payments for the nation.

Ripple Develops First-Ever Government-Backed National Stablecoin

According to a Tuesday announcement by Ripple, the partnership will focus on developing strategies for cross-border payments. The implementation of this plan means that Palau would have the world’s first government-backed national stablecoin.

Related Reading | XRP Builds Momentum With 7% Increase As Ripple Launches New ODL Partnership

Ripple, with its experience in building global payment systems, plans to implement the national stablecoin in the first half of 2022. And also provide Palau with technical, business, design, and policy support.

Palau’s President Surangel Whipps Jr. expressed pleasure about the partnership with Ripple to advance financial innovation and technology in the country. He also acknowledges the potential of blockchain technology in transforming the country’s economy.

“The first phase of the partnership will focus on a cross-border payments strategy and exploring options to create a national digital currency, providing the citizens of Palau with greater financial access.”

Palau chose to create its digital currency on  XRP Ledger (XRPL) as an alternative to central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). Being carbon-neutral and 120,000x more energy-efficient than proof-of-work blockchains is an added advantage. Additionally, the XRPL provides other benefits like scalability, speed, and low cost.

XRP at $1.025 | Source: XRPUSD on TradingView.com

“We are excited to be working with Palau to achieve its financial and climate-related goals,” said James Wallis, VP of Central Bank Engagements at Ripple. “We have a wonderful opportunity to bring together our technology and experience with the unique characteristics of Palau to make a real economic and social impact for the country.”

This partnership is ideal, given both parties’ concerns for climate and the environment.

Ripple’s Carbon Net-Zero Goal

Last year, the leading provider of enterprise blockchain solutions for payments committed to carbon neutrality by 2030.

Subsequently, Ripple co-created EW Zero, a tool to ensure sustainability in the blockchain industry. And the XRP Ledger Foundation was the first to use this tool.

About two months ago, the company also partnered with Bhutan, the only carbon-negative country in the world, to develop its CBDC.

Featured image by Financial Times, Chart from TradingView.com