In 2011, engineers David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto began developing the XRP Ledger (XRPL) to create a more efficient and sustainable digital asset tailored for payments. By June 2012, the XRPL was launched. Shortly thereafter, Chris Larsen joined the team, and together they founded a company initially named NewCoin in September 2012, which was soon renamed OpenCoin and eventually became Ripple.
Development and Evolution
> 2012: The XRP Ledger was launched, introducing XRP as its native currency. The founders gifted 80 billion XRP to the company, with Ripple placing the majority in escrow to ensure a controlled release over time.
> 2013: OpenCoin rebranded to Ripple Labs. The company focused on developing its open payments network to facilitate faster and more cost-effective cross-border transactions.
> 2014-2015: Ripple Labs secured partnerships with several financial institutions, aiming to integrate its technology into traditional banking systems. In 2015, the company raised $28 million in a Series A funding round and received a $4 million strategic investment from Santander.
> 2018: Ripple's technology gained traction, with over 100 banks signing up to explore its payment solutions. However, many institutions opted to use Ripple's messaging technology, xCurrent, while avoiding the XRP cryptocurrency due to concerns over volatility.
> 2023: Ripple acquired Switzerland-based crypto custody firm Metaco for $250 million, expanding its services to include digital asset custody solutions. Additionally, Ripple received approval for a license from the central bank of Singapore to offer regulated digital payment token products and services.
Ripple and XRP’s Developments in 2024
> SEC Lawsuit Resolution: Ripple secured a partial victory in its legal battle with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), with a court ruling that XRP sales to retail investors were not securities. This decision provided greater clarity for XRP's regulatory status, boosting market confidence and adoption.
> Tokenized Asset Expansion: Ripple announced a collaboration with Archax to tokenize hundreds of millions of dollars in real-world assets on the XRP Ledger, showcasing the platform's potential for asset tokenization.
> On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) Growth: Ripple expanded its On-Demand Liquidity services to additional corridors, including several in Asia and the Middle East, reinforcing XRP's utility in cross-border transactions.
> Ecosystem Development: The XRP Ledger witnessed increased activity with the launch of new decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols, NFTs, and enterprise-focused solutions, demonstrating the ecosystem's growing diversification.
> New Banking Partnerships: Ripple secured additional partnerships with global financial institutions, including major banks in Africa and South America, further solidifying its position in the payments industry.
> Introduction of RLUSD Stablecoin: Ripple introduced RLUSD, a dollar-pegged stablecoin launched on the XRP Ledger. RLUSD aims to provide stability for transactions and trading within the ecosystem, addressing volatility concerns for users and businesses. Its seamless integration with the XRP Ledger further expanded Ripple's offerings in the digital payments space.
Ripple’s Roadmap and Vision
Ripple's vision centers on revolutionizing cross-border payments by providing a decentralized, fast, and cost-effective infrastructure. The company continues to develop and enhance the XRP Ledger to support institutional-grade financial use cases, including tokenization of real-world assets and decentralized finance (DeFi) applications. In June 2024, Ripple announced a collaboration with Archax to bring hundreds of millions of dollars of tokenized real-world assets onto the XRP Ledger, underscoring its commitment to expanding the utility of its platform.
In summary, Ripple and XRP have evolved from their inception in 2012 to become pivotal components in the blockchain and digital payments landscape, continually striving to innovate and integrate with traditional financial systems.