XRP
February 26, 2026
Ripple is changing how money enters the XRP Ledger. For several years now, most XRPL ecosystem funding has come through programs directly tied to Ripple. While this approach helped bootstrap the network, funding decisions were mostly concentrated. Now the firm is stepping back and opening the system froma. single pipeline towards a broader system.
More than $550 million has already been poured into the XRPL ecosystem funding since 2017. This capital supported a number of developers, startups, and projects across payments, tokensization and financial applications. Ripple says the next phase will rely less on centralized programs. The network will instead focus on independent partners and community led initiative.
Also Read: Rise to Millions: Dan Zanger’s $10K‑to‑$42M Chart Pattern Strategy
How Ripple’s 2026 Plan Transforms XRPL Ecosystem Funding and XAO DAO
Programs like XRPL Grants played a major role in building the foundation. These grants helped fund nearly 200 projects all over the world. Many early teams depended on this support to launch wallets, payment tools, and developer infrastructure. XRPL Grants remain active, but they are no longer the only gateway.
The biggest structural change comes through XAO DAO. This decentralized organization allows community members to vote on funding proposals. Builders can apply for micro-grants, and the community helps decide which projects move forward. Ripple says this gives developers more direct influence over how the XRPL ecosystem funding is carried out.
Ripple is also introducing the FinTech Builder Program as part of its Ripple 2026 roadmap. The program focuses on startups building financial tools on XRPL. It provides mentorship along with tech support and access to investors. Through this, the firm will be able to help founders move faster from prototype to real-world deployment.
Also Read: JPMorgan Raises Silver Price Target for 2026 on Stronger Demand
Independent hubs are becoming part of the funding network. XRPL Commons, for instance, runs its own incubator and grant programs. Inttivaes like XRP Asia allow local teams to access funding without relying on Ripple. In addition, Rippl’s University Digital Asset Xcelerator is expanding to campuses, including Oxford and Fundação Getulio Vargas. Through this, student founders can connect with funding and mentorship.
Amidst this, Ripple’s XRP was trading at $1.41 following a 2.1% drop over the past 24 hours. The asset had a notable week as it almost surged to a high of $1.50. But along with the rest of the market, XRP was dragged down by the bears.
Also Read: UNCTAD Data Shows BRICS Trade Is Surging and Quietly Rewiring Global Supply Chains
