Question 1

What's the latest XRP news?

Accepted Answer

### Top Story XRP fell 7.64% over the past 24 hours, underperforming the broader crypto market, after the Clarity Act failed in the Senate, triggering a decline across digital assets[^[1]](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/09/16/xrp-sinks-10-as-the-clarity-act-fails-and-bitcoin-slides-toward-usd76-000). This regulatory setback weighed on sentiment and contributed to the price drop. ### Other Highlights - The XRP Ledger is one vote away from activating its next major payments upgrade, following a security rebuild[^[2]](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2026/09/15/xrp-ledger-is-one-vote-away-from-starting-its-next-big-payments-upgrade). - Technical analysis indicates XRP remains trapped in a descending channel, with key support and resistance levels in focus. - Broader market weakness, including a slide in bitcoin and other major cryptocurrencies, added pressure to XRP[^[1]](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/09/16/xrp-sinks-10-as-the-clarity-act-fails-and-bitcoin-slides-toward-usd76-000). - Regulatory developments continue to be a major catalyst for XRP price moves, as seen with the Clarity Act's outcome[^[1]](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/09/16/xrp-sinks-10-as-the-clarity-act-fails-and-bitcoin-slides-toward-usd76-000). ### Market Context XRP declined 7.64% while the CD20 index fell 3.49%, indicating XRP lagged the broader crypto market. The price drop coincided with negative sentiment following the failure of the Clarity Act, which was expected to provide regulatory clarity for digital assets[^[1]](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2026/09/16/xrp-sinks-10-as-the-clarity-act-fails-and-bitcoin-slides-toward-usd76-000). Macro factors, such as stablecoin growth and digital euro developments, were less influential on XRP's short-term price action. ### What’s Next? With regulatory uncertainty persisting and the XRP Ledger upgrade nearing activation, market participants will watch for further policy developments and technical signals. Will renewed clarity or successful protocol upgrades help XRP recover its footing?

Question 2

What is the XRP Ledger?

Accepted Answer

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is an open-source blockchain launched in June 2012. Anyone can download the software, run a node, submit transactions or build applications without needing permission from Ripple Labs or any central authority.

The XRPL settles transactions rapidly—typically within 3 to 5 seconds—and supports approximately 1,500 transactions per second using standard hardware. Each transaction costs a fraction of a cent, and these fees are destroyed, gradually reducing the total XRP supply. Energy studies suggest the network uses about 0.0079 kWh per transaction, significantly lower than proof-of-work networks.

Key features include:
- **Built-in exchange**: Since launch, the XRPL has featured a decentralised exchange enabling direct token-to-token trading via a central-limit order book. An automated-market-maker (AMM) module was added in 2024, providing another on-ledger liquidity option.
- **Tokenisation and NFTs**: Fungible tokens and NFTs can be created in a single transaction. [The XLS-20 standard, activated in October 2022](https://www.coindesk.com/web3/2022/11/01/nfts-get-a-new-place-to-live-with-ripple-aiming-for-mass-adoption), introduced native NFT support without relying on external smart contracts. This enables real-world asset tokens to settle instantly on-chain, including embedded metadata.
- **Decentralised governance**: Network changes are proposed as "amendments" and require sustained approval from at least 80% of validators for two weeks before activation. This allows participants sufficient time for testing and rejection if necessary. (The validator approval mechanism is further detailed in the Consensus Protocol section below.)

An active developer community contributes tooling, client software and libraries independently of Ripple, extending the XRPL’s adoption beyond Ripple’s commercial offerings. Collectively, these attributes position the XRPL as a versatile, efficient and low-cost blockchain maintained by an independent validator network.

Question 3

What is the XRPL EVM Sidechain?

Accepted Answer

The [XRPL EVM Sidechain](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2025/06/30/xrpl-evm-sidechain-goes-live-unlocking-ethereum-dapps-in-xrp-ecosystem) is an independent blockchain that brings Ethereum Virtual Machine (EVM) compatibility to the XRP Ledger ecosystem. Launched on mainnet in June 2025, it enables developers to build and deploy Ethereum-compatible decentralised applications (dApps) using Solidity and standard Ethereum tooling, while leveraging the XRP Ledger’s efficiency and liquidity.

The sidechain operates as a distinct ledger with its own Proof of Authority (PoA) consensus algorithm, separate validator set and Unique Node List (UNL). Nodes on the main XRPL and the sidechain run independently and do not share governance or state. Value and data move between the two ledgers through the Axelar bridge, with additional interoperability planned through Wormhole.

Key features of the XRPL EVM Sidechain include:

* **Ethereum Compatibility:** Supports Solidity, MetaMask, Hardhat and other Ethereum development tools.
* **XRP as Native Gas:** Transactions on the sidechain are paid in XRP, creating a unified asset model across the ecosystem.
* **Independent Consensus and Governance:** A separate validator network governs the sidechain, independent of the XRPL’s mainnet validators.
* **High Performance:** Designed for faster block times and around 1,000 transactions per second, with low transaction fees.
* **Cross-Chain Interoperability:** Axelar provides the initial bridge between XRPL and the sidechain. Wormhole integration is planned for future releases. Squid serves as the primary user interface for cross-chain transfers.
* **Flexible Use Cases:** The sidechain supports applications in DeFi, tokenisation, lending, derivatives and payments.

A growing set of infrastructure and DeFi projects is already live or in development, including Band Protocol (oracles), Grove (public RPC endpoints), Axelar (cross-chain bridge) and applications such as Strobe (lending), Securd (DeFi yield) and Vertex (derivatives trading).

The XRPL EVM Sidechain broadens the XRP Ledger ecosystem by adding general-purpose smart contracts, without altering the main ledger’s performance or consensus. This design allows XRP to serve as a bridge asset across the XRPL, the EVM Sidechain and the wider multichain ecosystem.

Question 4

What is the difference between Ripple and XRP?

Accepted Answer

Ripple Labs Inc. is a privately-held software company that builds enterprise blockchain solutions, including cross-border payments, custody and stablecoin platforms. In contrast, XRP is the native digital asset of the XRP Ledger, an open-source blockchain launched independently of Ripple.

Key distinctions include:

- **Role and usage**: Ripple develops and sells software products to financial institutions; XRP functions independently on its own decentralised blockchain and can be freely used, traded or held by anyone.

- **Network control**: Ripple does not manage or control the XRP Ledger. Network governance, including ledger validation and amendments, relies on an independent validator network that requires 80% agreement for any changes, as previously explained.

- **XRP ownership**: Ripple owns a significant portion of XRP, primarily held in escrow with monthly releases. However, these holdings do not grant Ripple governance power or influence over network rules.

- **Asset dependency**: While Ripple's products often use XRP (notably as a bridge asset in Ripple Payments), they also support other digital assets and stablecoins such as RLUSD, underscoring XRP’s independent role.

In short, Ripple is a for-profit software vendor providing blockchain-based solutions, while XRP is a separate digital asset that exists independently of Ripple Labs and its business activities.

Question 5

What is Ripple?

Accepted Answer

Ripple Labs Inc., originally founded as OpenCoin in 2012 by Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb, adopted the Ripple name in October 2015. Based in San Francisco, Ripple employed over 1,000 people across more than 50 countries as of 2023.

Ripple specialises in blockchain-based software for financial institutions, offering solutions for cross-border payments, digital-asset custody and stablecoin issuance. Its network, RippleNet, connects banks, payment providers and fintech companies through standardised APIs, enabling instant cross-border settlements using both traditional currencies and digital assets.

In May 2023, Ripple acquired the Swiss custody technology provider Metaco for US $250 million, enhancing its institutional custody capabilities. In April 2025, [Ripple announced an agreement to acquire prime broker Hidden Road for US $1.25 billion](https://www.coindesk.com/business/2025/04/08/ripple-to-acquire-prime-broker-hidden-road-for-usd1-25b-expanding-institutional-push). The completion of this acquisition remains subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

Ripple’s stated mission is to create an "Internet of Value," where money moves as seamlessly as information does today. Its products aim to replace legacy correspondent banking models by providing liquidity on demand, removing the need for pre-funded accounts. More information on these offerings is detailed in the Ripple Payments and Ripple Custody sections below.

Question 6

How does XRP work?

Accepted Answer

XRP operates on the XRP Ledger, which uses a [Federated Consensus mechanism](https://xrpl.org/docs/concepts/consensus-protocol) rather than the energy-intensive mining used by Bitcoin.

*   **Consensus:** Independent validators agree on the order and validity of transactions every 3-5 seconds, enabling high throughput and near-instant settlement.
    
*   **On-Demand Liquidity (ODL):** XRP facilitates ODL (now part of Ripple Payments), allowing financial institutions to convert between fiat currencies instantly using XRP as an intermediary bridge asset.

Question 7

Who created XRP?

Accepted Answer

XRP was developed by Arthur Britto, Jed McCaleb, and David Schwartz in 2011 and officially launched in 2012. The developers later founded OpenCoin, which was eventually renamed Ripple Labs (now Ripple).

While Ripple is a major software company that builds payment solutions utilizing XRP, the digital asset itself operates on a decentralized, open-source ledger maintained by independent validators.

Question 8

Is XRP legal?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Following the conclusion of the [SEC lawsuit in August 2025](https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/08/07/sec-s-long-running-case-against-ripple-officially-over), XRP has achieved regulatory clarity in major jurisdictions:

*   **United States:** XRP is legal to trade. Following the 2023 ruling and the 2025 case dismissal, major U.S. exchanges (including Coinbase and Kraken) relisted the asset.
    
*   **International:** XRP is widely accepted and regulated under frameworks like [MiCA](https://state-of-crypto.coindesk.com/blog/eu-crypto-regulation/) (European Union) and by the FSA in Japan, where it is utilized for consumer payments and bank transfers.

Question 9

What affects the price of XRP?

Accepted Answer

XRP’s price is influenced by several key factors:

*   **Regulatory Environment:** The [conclusion of the SEC lawsuit](https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/08/07/sec-s-long-running-case-against-ripple-officially-over) in 2025 removed a major suppressor of price, though future regulatory frameworks for crypto still play a role.
    
*   **Adoption & Utility:** The volume of transactions processed through Ripple’s cross-border payment network and the adoption of the [XRPL](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/XRP_Ledger) for other uses (like tokenization and DeFi) drive demand.
    
*   **Market Sentiment:** Like all cryptocurrencies, XRP correlates with broader market trends, often moving in tandem with Bitcoin.
    
*   **Supply Dynamics:** Ripple releases a portion of XRP from its escrow accounts monthly (up to 1 billion, though much is often returned to escrow), which impacts the circulating supply.

Question 10

Is XRP a good investment?

Accepted Answer

XRP has a history of high volatility. While the resolution of the [SEC case in 2025](https://www.coindesk.com/policy/2025/08/07/sec-s-long-running-case-against-ripple-officially-over) removed a significant risk factor, the asset still experiences sharp price swings.

*   Performance: XRP reached an all-time high of $3.84 in January 2018. It saw a significant rally in 2025 following the lawsuit's conclusion, peaking locally around $3.65.
    
*   Risk: Investors should consider the risks inherent to the volatile crypto market. This information is for educational purposes and is not financial advice.

Question 11

What is the XRP price prediction?

Accepted Answer

Price predictions are speculative and vary widely. Following the 2025 legal victory, many analysts revised their long-term forecasts upward, citing the potential for an [XRP ETF](https://www.coindesk.com/markets/2025/12/16/xrp-etfs-pass-usd1-billion-mark-with-no-outflow-days-since-launch) and increased institutional adoption. However, prices fluctuate based on macroeconomic conditions and crypto market cycles.

Question 12

How to buy and store XRP?

Accepted Answer

*   You can purchase XRP on major exchanges including Binance, Coinbase, Kraken, Bitstamp, and Crypto.com.
    
*   Create an account on a supported exchange, verify your identity (KYC), and fund your account with fiat currency (USD, EUR, etc.) or other cryptocurrencies to trade for XRP.
    
*   Storage:
    
    *   [Hot Wallets](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/12/02/an-advisors-guide-to-popular-crypto-wallets): For frequent trading, you can keep XRP on the exchange or use software wallets like Xumm or Trust Wallet.
        
    *   [Cold Storage](https://www.coindesk.com/tech/2021/12/02/an-advisors-guide-to-popular-crypto-wallets): For long-term security, it is recommended to store XRP in a hardware wallet to keep your private keys offline.

Question 13

XRP vs. Bitcoin: What’s the difference?

Accepted Answer

Bitcoin and XRP differ significantly in their design and primary use cases. While Bitcoin is primarily viewed as a store of value often referred to as "digital gold," XRP is optimized specifically for cross-border payments.

A key technical difference lies in their consensus mechanisms: Bitcoin relies on energy-intensive proof-of-work mining to validate transactions and issue new coins, whereas XRP uses a unique Federated Consensus algorithm that does not involve mining. This difference allows XRP to settle transactions in approximately 3 seconds with negligible fees (often fractions of a penny), compared to the slower and potentially more expensive transactions on the Bitcoin network.

Additionally, unlike Bitcoin, which releases new coins over time through mining, XRP’s total supply of 100 billion tokens was fully pre-mined at launch.

Question 14

What is the SEC vs Ripple case?

Accepted Answer

On December 22, 2020, the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) filed a [lawsuit against Ripple Labs](https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2020-338), CEO Brad Garlinghouse, and co-founder Chris Larsen, alleging they conducted unregistered securities offerings by selling over US$1.3 billion worth of XRP.

On July 13, 2023, Judge Analisa Torres issued a landmark split summary judgment, noting, “"The XRP token 'is not necessarily a security on its face,' except when sold to raise funds from institutions.". The court ruled that Ripple’s direct XRP sales to institutional investors were unregistered securities offerings, but that XRP sold programmatically through public exchanges and distributions to employees were not securities.

In October 2023, the SEC dropped all charges against Garlinghouse and Larsen, focusing solely on Ripple Labs. This move eliminated the pending trial for the executives, narrowing the case to Ripple’s institutional XRP sales.

The legal battle officially concluded on August 7, 2025, when the SEC and Ripple voluntarily dismissed their respective appeals. This dismissal left the 2023 ruling intact, confirming that [XRP is not a security](https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/litigation-releases/lr-26369) when traded on public exchanges. Ripple was ordered to pay a $125 million civil penalty for the historical institutional sales violations and is subject to a permanent injunction regarding future institutional sales.

#	Instrument	Exchange	Benchmark Score	Price	24h Change	24h Volume	24h Trades	24h Open	24h High
1	XRP-USDT XRPUSDT	binance	AA	1.31USDT	-7.35%	316,118,121.20XRP	1,720,047	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
2	XRP-USD XRP-USD	coinbase	AA	1.31USD	-7.41%	237,294,861.59XRP	262,558	1.41USD	1.46USD
3	XRP-USDC XRP-USDC	coinbaseinternational	BB	1.31USDC	-7.41%	236,858,846.97XRP	262,109	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
4	XRP-RLUSD XRPRLUSD	bullish	AA	1.31RLUSD	-7.39%	148,938,427.47XRP	214,044	1.41RLUSD	1.46RLUSD
5	XRP-USD XXRPZUSD	kraken	AA	1.31USD	-7.41%	119,704,020.36XRP	81,390	1.41USD	1.46USD
6	XRP-USDT XRP-USDT	okex	A	1.31USDT	-7.38%	102,534,763.31XRP	306,209	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
7	XRP-USDC XRPUSDC	binance	AA	1.31USDC	-7.43%	78,140,538.70XRP	184,483	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
8	XRP-USDT XRP_USDT	gateio	A	1.31USDT	-7.34%	56,009,702.80XRP	76,145	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
9	XRP-USDT XRPUSDT	bybit	A	1.31USDT	-7.38%	55,571,382.70XRP	237,466	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
10	XRP-USDT XRP-USDT	kucoin	BB	1.31USDT	-7.35%	55,158,883.24XRP	174,163	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
11	XRP-USD xrpusd	bitstamp	AA	1.31USD	-7.43%	44,938,989.65XRP	49,213	1.41USD	1.46USD
12	XRP-USDT XRPUSDT_SPBL	bitget	BB	1.31USDT	-7.37%	39,306,021.80XRP	140,755	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
13	XRP-USD XRP_USD	cryptodotcom	AA	1.31USD	-7.43%	28,553,928.00XRP	164,977	1.41USD	1.46USD
14	XRP-EUR XXRPZEUR	kraken	AA	1.13EUR	-7.55%	28,415,348.30XRP	30,134	1.23EUR	1.26EUR
15	XRP-TRY XRPTRY	binance	AA	63.70TRY	-7.22%	16,086,034.60XRP	60,435	68.66TRY	70.94TRY
16	XRP-USDT XRP_USDT	whitebit	BB	1.31USDT	-7.37%	13,015,136.08XRP	56,801	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
17	XRP-USD XRP_USD	lmax	BB	1.31USD	-7.46%	12,537,935.00XRP	9,965	1.41USD	1.46USD
18	XRP-USDT XRP_USDT	cryptodotcom	AA	1.31USDT	-7.38%	12,115,524.40XRP	88,527	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
19	XRP-USD1 XRPUSD1	binance	AA	1.31USD1	-7.38%	10,658,328.10XRP	80,874	1.41USD1	1.46USD1
20	XRP-EUR xrpeur	bitstamp	AA	1.13EUR	-7.48%	9,557,014.33XRP	14,718	1.23EUR	1.26EUR
21	XRP-EUR XRP-EUR	coinbase	AA	1.13EUR	-7.45%	8,838,406.83XRP	21,300	1.23EUR	1.26EUR
22	XRP-JPY XRPJPY	binance	AA	203.46JPY	-7.08%	8,439,869.60XRP	28,737	218.96JPY	226.12JPY
23	XRP-EUR XRP-EUR	okex	A	1.13EUR	-7.44%	8,266,365.27XRP	31,205	1.22EUR	1.26EUR
24	XRP-USD XRPUSD	bitfinex	BB	1.31USD	-7.27%	7,399,977.00XRP	41,243	1.41USD	1.46USD
25	XRP-BTC XRPBTC	binance	AA	0.0₄1724BTC	-5.43%	7,114,428.30XRP	20,633	0.0₄1823BTC	0.0₄1891BTC
26	XRP-USDC XRP-USDC	okex	A	1.31USDC	-7.52%	7,068,710.15XRP	28,138	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
27	XRP-USDC XRPUSDC	bybit	A	1.31USDC	-7.44%	6,761,368.45XRP	37,556	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
28	XRP-WBT XRP_WBT	whitebit	BB	0.01677WBT	-4.90%	6,411,250.20XRP	18,170	0.01763WBT	0.01830WBT
29	XRP-EUR XRPEUR	binance	AA	1.13EUR	-7.54%	5,774,587.60XRP	37,949	1.23EUR	1.26EUR
30	XRP-USDT XRPUSDT	kraken	AA	1.31USDT	-7.45%	5,718,530.66XRP	8,948	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
31	XRP-USDT XRPUST	bitfinex	BB	1.31USDT	-7.38%	5,389,478.82XRP	11,951	1.41USDT	1.46USDT
32	XRP-USDC XRPUSDC	bullish	AA	1.31USDC	-7.41%	5,067,445.37XRP	139,145	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
33	XRP-USDC XRPUSDC	kraken	AA	1.31USDC	-7.70%	4,603,750.31XRP	9,144	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
34	XRP-ETH XRPETH	binance	AA	0.0₃5444ETH	-4.10%	4,553,527.10XRP	10,904	0.0₃5677ETH	0.0₃5873ETH
35	XRP-USDC XRPUSDC_SPBL	bitget	BB	1.31USDC	-7.46%	4,634,584.00XRP	22,092	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
36	XRP-FDUSD XRPFDUSD	binance	AA	1.31FDUSD	-7.45%	4,552,205.40XRP	57,419	1.42FDUSD	1.46FDUSD
37	XRP-USD xrpusd	gemini	A	1.31USD	-7.46%	4,352,106.35XRP	26,397	1.41USD	1.46USD
38	XRP-U XRPU	binance	AA	1.31U	-7.44%	4,359,924.50XRP	31,576	1.41U	1.46U
39	XRP-BTC XRP_BTC	whitebit	BB	0.0₄1726BTC	-5.28%	3,944,075.00XRP	5,526	0.0₄1822BTC	0.0₄1893BTC
40	XRP-RLUSD XRPRLUSD	binance	AA	1.31RLUSD	-7.47%	4,119,309.90XRP	11,530	1.41RLUSD	1.46RLUSD
41	XRP-USD XRP-USD	okex	A	1.31USD	-7.39%	3,878,062.19XRP	22,606	1.41USD	1.46USD
42	XRP-TRY XRP_TRY	whitebit	BB	63.62TRY	-7.26%	3,715,242.00XRP	5,591	68.60TRY	70.11TRY
43	XRP-USDC XRP-USDC	kucoin	BB	1.31USDC	-7.52%	3,130,882.86XRP	14,865	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
44	XRP-GBP xrpgbp	bitstamp	AA	0.9702GBP	-7.16%	2,778,429.03XRP	2,414	1.05GBP	1.09GBP
45	XRP-USDT xrpusdt	bitstamp	AA	1.31USDT	-7.53%	2,777,187.28XRP	2,444	1.41USDT	1.44USDT
46	XRP-RLUSD XRP_RLUSD	lmax	BB	1.30RLUSD	-7.83%	2,336,871.00XRP	263	1.41RLUSD	1.45RLUSD
47	XRP-EUR XRPEUR	bybit	A	1.13EUR	-7.55%	2,107,145.47XRP	8,059	1.23EUR	1.26EUR
48	XRP-GBP XRPGBP	kraken	AA	0.9704GBP	-7.51%	1,981,756.68XRP	4,980	1.05GBP	1.08GBP
49	XRP-USDC XRP_USDC	whitebit	BB	1.31USDC	-7.45%	1,909,438.30XRP	4,303	1.41USDC	1.46USDC
50	XRP-USD XRPUSD	cexio	BB	1.31USD	-7.57%	1,916,681.88XRP	4,711	1.41USD	1.46USD