Key Developments for XRP Ledger
- •XRP Ledger introduces native smart contracts, transforming blockchain development possibilities.
- •Developers gain access to XRPL’s AlphaNet for decentralized app testing.
- •Network achieves 99.999% uptime milestone, reinforcing XRP Ledger’s unmatched reliability.
The XRP community witnessed a major shift this week after Denis Angell, a software engineer at XRPLabs and Xahau, revealed that the XRP Ledger Smart Contracts feature is now live for developers to test on AlphaNet. This marks the first time the ledger has introduced native Layer-1 smart contract capabilities, blending Ethereum-style contracts with XRPL’s unique native features and transaction system.
Developers can now explore decentralized app creation directly on the XRP Ledger, expanding beyond traditional token operations. According to Angell, this milestone is designed to give developers direct access to XRPL’s core features without relying on UNL approval, providing flexibility and efficiency in execution.
A New Era for XRP Ledger Development
The new smart contract framework offers multi-language support and introduces on-chain ABIs, allowing human-readable interface definitions to be stored directly on the ledger. This upgrade opens the door for wide-ranging use cases including cross-chain bridges, advanced DeFi protocols such as derivatives and perpetuals, as well as token utilities with staking rewards for issued tokens.
Moreover, developers can build governance models with on-chain voting mechanisms, decentralized gaming systems, and marketplace logic supporting customizable NFT trading rules. The first smart contract extension, known as “Smart Escrows,” will enable developers to create customized release conditions for escrows and is expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2026.
XRP Ledger Growth and Network Performance
Besides expanding XRPL’s functionality, the network continues to demonstrate remarkable performance. It recently surpassed 100 million ledgers, achieving an uptime record of 99.999% since its inception. This reliability strengthens XRP Ledger’s standing as one of the most consistent blockchain networks globally.
Additionally, onchain data from analytics platform Santiment showed that over 21,000 new XRP wallets were created within just 48 hours earlier this month, marking the highest growth in eight months. The consistent network stability and developer-focused innovations suggest that XRP Ledger is preparing for a new era of decentralized functionality and scalability.