Haciyev Reşit 
Crypto payments giant Ripple is preparing to implement significant structural changes within the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem starting in 2026. The company announced that it aims to accelerate the long-term growth of the XRP network by transforming its developer funding model into a more decentralized and multi-channel structure. Valued at approximately $40 billion, Ripple detailed both its strategic transformation plan and new developer support programs in an official blog post. According to the statement, as the XRP Ledger ecosystem matures, ensuring access to funding through multiple independent channels—rather than a single institution—has become increasingly critical.
XRP Ledger Funding Model Is Changing
Ripple announced that it will transition to a new model to make developer funding on XRP Ledger more distributed. Until now, most funding within the XRPL ecosystem had been provided through Ripple-backed initiatives. Under the new model, independent organizations, venture capital funds, and community-driven initiatives will take a more active role. This shift is designed to give developers access to diverse funding sources to scale and grow their projects. Ripple emphasized that a multi-channel funding structure is essential for the ecosystem’s sustainability and innovation capacity.
The move is also seen as a step toward reducing Ripple’s direct influence over XRP Ledger. Although Ripple and XRPL are technically separate entities, their close relationship dates back to XRPL’s 2012 launch, when several founders became actively involved with Ripple. Ripple remains the largest holder of XRP. According to company data shared in March 2025, Ripple holds approximately $57 billion worth of XRP, representing about two-thirds of the circulating supply. The company also continues to be one of the largest contributors to XRPL development.
New Developer Support Programs Announced
To diversify developer funding and expand the ecosystem, Ripple introduced several new initiatives. These programs will support teams building projects in areas such as stablecoin payments, tokenization, lending infrastructure, and regulated financial services. The decentralized autonomous organization XAO DAO, launched in June, aims to boost community participation and encourage rapid innovation through micro-grants. XRPL Commons will continue operating as a nonprofit organization supporting developer activities, while XRP Asia will maintain its efforts to assist developers in the Asia-Pacific region.
Ripple also confirmed that venture capital partners such as Dragonfly Capital, Pantera Capital, and Franklin Templeton—alongside university collaborations—will play an active role in the funding process. In its statement, Ripple noted: “The goal is to ensure that no single entity becomes the sole gateway for ecosystem support.”
The XRP Ecosystem Is Becoming More Decentralized
Ripple’s newly announced funding and developer support model for 2026 aims to make the XRP Ledger ecosystem more decentralized and sustainable. Through the multi-channel funding strategy, developers are expected to gain access not only to Ripple-backed resources but also to independent funds and community-driven initiatives. This could increase both the diversity and growth rate of projects built on XRPL. While gradually reducing Ripple’s influence over XRP, the new model seeks to strengthen ecosystem independence and address centralization concerns. According to experts, this strategic move could boost developer activity and enhance institutional investor confidence, contributing to the long-term growth of the XRP Ledger.
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