Ripple Announces Major XRP Ledger Upgrades with RLUSD Stablecoin and Enhanced Programmability

Published: 2025-05-24 10:32:15 |

Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse has confirmed major forthcoming upgrades to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), marking a significant step forward for the blockchain network and its native token, XRP. While earlier statements highlighted an important yet undisclosed breakthrough that would improve the ledger’s functionality, efficiency, and practical use cases, more recent announcements detail a set of concrete enhancements. Key among them is the integration of RLUSD, an ISO 20022-compliant stablecoin designed to bridge decentralized finance (DeFi) with traditional finance (TradFi) and bolster institutional interoperability. This comes at a crucial time as the global SWIFT system is also migrating to ISO 20022 standards, potentially expanding XRPL and RLUSD’s institutional adoption. XRPL will also gain advanced programmability, allowing for permissionless development, and introduce features such as Smart Escrows. These upgrades will enable complex on-chain financial services, including notary- and credential-based escrows. Development is currently underway on the XRPL Devnet, with community feedback shaping the final release ahead of validator voting. Garlinghouse’s announcement, further amplified by a supportive community, underlines Ripple’s focus on expanding XRP’s ecosystem, increasing its real-world utility, and positioning the network for greater adoption among institutional and retail users alike. For crypto traders, these advancements may signal growing bullish momentum, as expanded network capabilities and institutional traction often correlate with increased demand, price movement, and trading volume for XRP.

Bullish

Ripple’s confirmation of imminent major upgrades to the XRP Ledger, including the integration of the RLUSD stablecoin and enhanced programmability, directly expands network utility and facilitates institutional adoption. Such developments typically attract both institutional and retail interest, historically resulting in bullish sentiment and increased trading activity for XRP. The migration to ISO 20022 standards and the addition of advanced financial features further position XRP for mainstream use. Together, these factors are likely to drive positive price action in the short-to-medium term, while the ongoing development and community engagement signal long-term growth potential.