- The XRP Ledger is adding extensions to embed the use of smart contracts directly within its system to make decentralized financial services more feasible
- EVM-compatible sidechain, new lending tools, and compliance features push XRPL toward wider DeFi use.
The XRP Ledger is poised to experience a major shift in 2025 with a number of improvements slated to favor both institutional and retail users. RippleX senior software engineer Mayukha Vadari provided insights on new features in the pipelines through different development networks
Three varying networks are used to test out these new developments, according to Vadari. The first is a copy of the real XRPL environment called the Testnet. The other is termed Devnet and accommodates finalized but still unapproved updates. The third is temporary networks used for initial testing before developments progress to Devnet.
The XRP Ledger’s development process relies significantly on user feedback. Its development networks stress the point that users can use them to trial and incorporate new features. Such engagement ensures continuous enhancement before the same becomes fully available over the main network.
New Functionalities to Support Advanced Transactions
There are several eagerly awaited features currently in active testing. One example is the testing of the new Batch Amendment feature, through which users can bundle up to eight transactions at a time. This feature also facilitates the implementation of atomic swaps and greatly eases complex trades.
Another development is Account Permission Delegation and multipurpose tokens, which are available now to experiment with on Devnet. Dynamic NFTs, permissioned domains, and credentials are also included in these improvements, all of which validators can vote upon and signal XRPL’s shift towards flexibility.
Smart Escrows is yet another significant feature being tested out on the WASM Devnet. Implemented through WebAssembly, this new feature allows users to define their own conditions over the release of escrowed assets, further enhancing security and control over transactions. Mainnet voting for this feature is expected later this year, according to developers.
Institutional Adoption and Compliance Enhancements
The XRP Ledger is adding extensions to embed the use of smart contracts directly within its system to make decentralized financial services more feasible. Smart Escrow extension is the starting point in this direction and foresees further use cases being implemented with subsequent releases.
In addition, Ripple revealed an Ethereum-compatible sidechain integration currently available on the Testnet. The integration’s objective is to attract Ethereum-based developers to XRPL. It will presumably go live on the primary network mid-year and further connect distinct blockchain ecosystems.
For institutions, XRPL is launching decentralized identity improvements, permissioned decentralized exchanges, and niche domains specifically designed to accommodate strict regulatory needs. These enhancements enforce Know Your Customer (KYC) processes to assist institutional users in efficiently fulfilling regulatory norms.
Liquidity and Stability to be Enhanced Through AMM and Stablecoin
Important enhancements will also benefit liquidity management on the XRPL. The Automatic Market Maker (AMM) feature, through the XLS-30 amendment, proved more accurate in prices and with lower slippage than classic AMMs. XRPL controls market efficiency and potentially draws more traders and liquidity providers to it.
In addition to this, Ripple is also introducing a U.S. dollar-backed stablecoin, backed by real cash reserves and treasury bills over the short term. Scheduled to operate both over the XRPL and the Ethereum network, this stablecoin will make it easy to work between traditional finance systems and crypto markets and grant users trustworthy stability.
