Overview
XRP is the native cryptocurrency of the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a public, permissionless blockchain designed primarily for fast and low‑cost value transfer. It was created with a focus on payments, cross‑border remittances and liquidity provision.
The XRP Ledger launched in 2012, developed by a group of engineers including David Schwartz, Arthur Britto and Jed McCaleb. XRP was built to offer faster, cheaper and more energy‑efficient transactions compared with early Proof‑of‑Work blockchains.
By category, XRP is a payments‑focused layer‑1 coin and a bridge asset for transferring value between different currencies and networks. It is used to settle transactions on the XRP Ledger, protect the network from spam and act as a neutral bridge currency in the built‑in decentralized exchange.
XRP is often associated with Ripple, a technology company that builds payment solutions and uses XRP and other digital assets in some of its products. However, XRP itself is an independent digital asset running on an open‑source, decentralized ledger.
The total supply of XRP was created at launch and is fixed, with no additional XRP being minted over time. A significant portion was initially allocated to Ripple and placed into escrow to manage long‑term distribution.
- Ticker
- XRP
- Network
- Not specified
- Algorithm
- Not applicable
- Launch date
- Not specified
- Category
- Smart Contract Platform, Layer 1 (L1), FTX Holdings, Pantera Capital Portfolio, Andreessen Horowitz (a16z) Portfolio, XRP Ledger Ecosystem
- Official website
- Visit website ↗
XRP Price Chart
The XRP price chart allows users to review how XRP has traded over different timeframes. Short‑term intervals such as 24H and 7D highlight current volatility and news‑driven moves, while 1Y and ALL views provide a broader perspective on XRP’s behavior across multiple market cycles.
Because XRP is closely linked to the payments narrative and regulatory developments, its price history may show reactions to legal milestones, ecosystem growth and broader crypto market trends.
The chart should be treated as a record of past performance, not as a forecast. For context on what influences XRP over time, users can refer to the sections on how the XRP Ledger works and how XRP’s supply model is structured.
What Is XRP?
XRP is a digital asset created specifically for payments. It acts as the native currency of the XRP Ledger, where it is used to pay transaction fees, move value between accounts and serve as a bridge asset between different currencies.
The core idea behind XRP is to move money as quickly and cheaply as information moves on the internet. Transactions on the XRP Ledger typically settle in a few seconds and cost a fraction of a cent in fees.
XRP can be sent directly from one address to another without needing a central intermediary. This makes it useful for cross‑border payments, remittances, liquidity provision and use cases where speed and low cost are important.
Although Ripple uses XRP in some of its products and holds a significant amount of the supply, XRP itself is independent of any single company. The XRP Ledger is open‑source and maintained by a distributed network of validators and community participants.
XRP is a coin because it is the native asset of its own blockchain (the XRP Ledger), rather than a token issued on another network.
How Does XRP Work?
XRP runs on the XRP Ledger, which uses a consensus protocol distinct from Proof‑of‑Work and Proof‑of‑Stake. Instead of miners or stakers, the XRPL relies on a network of validators that reach agreement on which transactions are valid.
Validators are independent servers that follow the rules of the XRP Ledger and participate in consensus by proposing and voting on transaction sets. Each validator maintains a list of other validators it trusts, known as a Unique Node List (UNL).
Consensus proceeds in rounds:
Validators share candidate transaction sets they believe should be included in the next ledger.
They compare these sets with those from other trusted validators and iteratively update their proposals.
Once a supermajority (typically 80% or more) of trusted validators agrees on the same set of transactions, that set is considered final and committed as the next ledger.
This process allows the XRP Ledger to validate and finalize transactions within a few seconds, providing fast confirmation times and consistent ordering of transactions.
A small amount of XRP is charged and destroyed as a transaction fee for each operation. This fee helps prevent spam and ensures that validators prioritize legitimate activity. Over time, this introduces a slight deflationary effect on the total XRP supply.
XRP Tokenomics
XRP has a fixed, pre‑minted supply. All 100 billion XRP were created at the network’s launch, and no new tokens will ever be minted. This makes its supply model fundamentally different from coins that rely on mining or ongoing issuance.
The total supply can only decrease over time due to transaction fee burns. Each transaction destroys a tiny amount of XRP, permanently removing it from circulation.
A large portion of the initial supply was allocated to Ripple, with much of it later placed into on‑ledger escrow accounts. These escrow contracts release a predefined amount of XRP on a regular schedule, with any unused portion often re‑locked into new escrows.
As a result, XRP’s circulating supply evolves based on:
Escrow releases and re‑locks.
Sales and distributions to ecosystem partners, institutions and users.
Natural burn from transaction fees on the XRP Ledger.
There are no mining rewards or staking rewards at the protocol level for XRP. The tokenomics model focuses on a known maximum supply, predictable escrow releases and small ongoing burns from network usage.
How to Buy XRP
XRP is available on many centralized and decentralized exchanges. To buy XRP, users typically start by creating an account on a platform that lists XRP trading pairs.
After registration and any required identity verification, users can deposit fiat or other cryptocurrencies. Many exchanges offer XRP trading pairs such as XRP/USD, XRP/EUR, XRP/USDT or XRP/BTC.
With a funded account, users can search for XRP and place a market order for immediate execution or a limit order at a chosen price level. Once the trade is filled, XRP appears in the user’s exchange balance.
From there, XRP can be held on the exchange for active trading or withdrawn to a personal wallet that supports the XRP Ledger. When withdrawing, users should carefully verify the destination address and any required destination tags.
Best Wallets for XRP
XRP can be stored in various wallet types, including centralized exchange wallets, non‑custodial software wallets and hardware wallets compatible with the XRP Ledger.
Exchange wallets may be convenient for active traders who move in and out of XRP frequently. However, they require trusting the exchange with custody and security of funds.
Non‑custodial wallets allow users to hold XRP while retaining control over their private keys. Many desktop, mobile and browser wallets support XRPL, offering features such as account activation, token management and built‑in support for destination tags.
Hardware wallets provide an extra layer of security for larger XRP holdings by keeping private keys offline. They can be used together with software wallets to sign XRP transactions securely.
When managing XRP, users should:
Ensure their wallet explicitly supports the XRP Ledger.
Safely back up their recovery phrase and private keys.
Pay attention to destination tags when sending XRP to exchanges or certain services.
Double‑check addresses and network details before confirming transfers.
