Zerpaay Labs, a project building on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), has publicly expressed frustration with Ripple and its grant program, citing repeated rejections and a lack of transparency.
In a tweet detailing their experience, Zerpaay highlighted possible challenges developers seeking funding and recognition within the XRPL ecosystem face.
Here’s what building on the #XRPL looks like:
– You find a great idea.
– You build a proof of concept.
– You apply for a Ripple grant.
– You wait months (sometimes over a year) with no feedback.
– You're rejected—so you keep building to show commitment.
– VCs won’t touch you… pic.twitter.com/mGWSOAiVWX— Zerpaay (@ZerpaayOfficial) March 25, 2025
Zerpaay’s Experience with Ripple Grants
According to Zerpaay, the process of building on XRPL begins with a strong idea and a proof of concept. Developers then apply for a Ripple grant, but they often face long waiting periods without receiving feedback. Despite demonstrating commitment by continuing development, they may still be rejected.
The tweet also noted that venture capitalists are reluctant to support projects built on XRPL. Zerpaay claimed that meeting with Ripple and RippleX developers encouraged further investment in their project. However, despite refining their pitch to align with Ripple’s expectations, they faced repeated rejections without clear reasoning.
Zerpaay emphasized the significance of Ripple’s approval within the XRPL ecosystem, stating that the community tends to accept projects more readily when they receive recognition from Ripple.
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To build their platform, Zerpaay reported investing substantial personal funds and developing a full XRPL ecosystem, including a play-to-earn (P2E) platform, 180 nodes, a token generator, and an upcoming casino powered by XRPL tokens. Despite this progress, they were denied funding once again.
Criticism of Ripple’s Role in XRPL Development
In their tweet, Zerpaay rejected the argument that Ripple is not responsible for developers’ challenges. They pointed out that Ripple is in charge of the grant program and is responsible for selecting the individuals who make funding decisions. The post further accused Ripple of failing to support the ecosystem while focusing on selling XRP.
Zerpaay suggested that Ripple’s lack of support is a major factor in XRPL’s slow adoption compared to other blockchain networks with smaller market caps. Despite their dissatisfaction, the team reaffirmed their commitment to completing their project, stating, “Still, we’ll finish what we started. Let’s see where this leads.”
Community Response
The tweet received engagement from members of the XRPL community, including VET, an XRPL validator, who disagreed with Zerpaay’s assertion that Ripple’s endorsement dictates community adoption.
Vet stated that there are both Ripple-endorsed projects they avoid and non-endorsed projects they use. They supported Zerpaay’s project and encouraged them to seek alternative grant opportunities.
Zerpaay’s comments highlight an ongoing debate about Ripple’s role in the XRPL ecosystem and its impact on developer support. Their public criticism raises questions about the transparency of the grant process and the broader challenges faced by teams building on XRPL without direct backing from Ripple.
Disclaimer: This content is meant to inform and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author’s personal opinions and do not represent Times Tabloid’s opinion. Readers are urged to do in-depth research before making any investment decisions. Any action taken by the reader is strictly at their own risk. Times Tabloid is not responsible for any financial losses.
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