The XRP Ledger Sees Significant Changes
The XRP Ledger is seeing significant changes, as there are currently four upgrades pending approval using the system’s process for amendments. Such adjustments come after the platform’s consensus method uses amendments and has them take effect whenever they get over 80% support from the validators for two weeks running. Once they get approval, the upgrades are permanent and apply to subsequent ledger iterations.
Of these upgrades, dynamic NFTs seem closest to passing. According to a tweet from Dr. Artur Kirjakulov, founder and CEO of XPMarket, dynamic NFTs have only one validator vote remaining. Unlike regular NFTs, dynamic NFTs allow for updating data after minting and may be used for applications that require this flexibility.
Source: Dr. Artur Kirjakulov
In the meantime, the second suggested feature — the multi-purpose token — is picking up steam in the vote. These are a more compact and flexible version of traditional fungible tokens and are simpler to work with using less code. They simplify token creation and allow for more forms of assets to be represented on the ledger.
Concerns Over Priorities and Legacy Tools
Kirjakulov also spoke to the status of the XChainBridge, an interoperability effort which had been set aside for work on Axelar. While the project was officially shelved, validator votes for it persisted. The executive at XPMarket feels the feature is still necessary and emphasized that the XRPL requires stronger tools.
[3/18] — XChainBridge —
Status: Voting (new bugfix in v2.2.0)
Allows for cross-chain asset transfers across distinct independent ledgers, such as a mainchain (e.g. XRPL) and a sidechain (e.g. EVM-Sidechain).
Use Cases:
• (w)XRP to be the native asset on a sidechain
•…pic.twitter.com/LVvD1NvOSZ
— Krippenreiter (@krippenreiter) May 6, 2024
One proposition being resisted is the Credentials and Permissioned Domains modification. The change has been controversial, and Kirjakulov himself has criticized it. He regards it as an improper move, stating that resources should be channeled to features that bring developers income-generating opportunities.
Another new development was on May 5, when it was announced that the feature, Deep Freeze, would be live. Whilst it does not directly apply to XRP, it provides issuers with increased control over the tokens that they issue. With Deep Freeze, issuers have the ability to freeze certain assets at an account level but still leave the process open and decentralized.
XRP Ledger Amendment – Deep Freeze is now activated on the XRP Ledger.
Deep Freeze goes beyond normal token freeze, enforcing it on the whole XRPL payment engine – payments, offers, CLOB, AMM.
Reminder, it’s for issued tokens – NOT XRP!
The sudo transaction that activated itpic.twitter.com/62vZS3Ci6h
— Vet (@Vet_X0) May 4, 2025
Technical Upgrade Set for June Release
In a previous announcement last April, RippleX unveiled plans to make operations more efficient through the reduction of network traffic. A method known as “Squelching” is being discussed for this reason. By restricting the number of peers that send messages from a validator, the method minimizes repetitive traffic. This feature was included in version 2.5.0, which will be released next June.
In addition to decreased traffic, the 2.5.0 upgrade will also reduce memory and bandwidth needs for node operators. This will make it simpler for further participants to operate nodes without requiring high-resource machines, further enabling the network to scale.
These collective upgrades indicate an effort to make the ledger more usable while having future growth in consideration. We will know over the coming months if validator support mirrors these intentions, particularly as the vote for dynamic NFTs gets close to being finalized.