A recent discussion regarding XRP’s fixed supply has reignited controversy, prompting Ripple’s Chief Technology Officer, David Schwartz, to reaffirm that no mechanism within the XRP Ledger allows for the creation of new XRP.
The debate resurfaced after Bitcoin advocate Pierre Rochard suggested in an X post that Ripple could expand the total supply beyond its 100 billion cap. This assertion stirred a strong reaction from the XRP community, leading Schwartz to address the claims directly.
XRP Supply is Immutable
Schwartz categorically dismissed the notion of XRP token minting, emphasizing that the XRP Ledger has built-in safeguards preventing any increase in its fixed supply. He pointed out that the blockchain’s protocol includes stringent rules enforced by network nodes, ensuring that no additional XRP can be generated beyond the original 100 billion created at the genesis block in 2012.
One of the key security features of the XRP Ledger is its invariant checking system, which continuously validates transactions to ensure that no unauthorized token creation occurs. This mechanism automatically blocks any attempt to introduce new XRP into circulation, making it technologically impossible to expand the supply.
No network rule in the XRPL code permits XRP to be created. In fact, network rules enforced by nodes specifically prohibit this. I'm pretty sure someone specifically pointed this out to you the last time you spread this nonsense. 1/2
— David "JoelKatz" Schwartz (@JoelKatz) March 5, 2025
Validators and Security Measures Ensure Fixed Supply
Further supporting Schwartz’s clarification, an XRP Ledger validator known as Vet underscored the network’s robust defenses against potential exploits. According to Vet, the Ledger’s developers intentionally removed any functionality that could allow XRP inflation. Even in the event of a software vulnerability, the blockchain’s safeguard mechanisms would immediately detect and nullify any unauthorized attempt to mint new tokens.
Because the XRP Ledger operates under a consensus model, neither Ripple nor any entity within the ecosystem has the authority to alter the total supply. All participants, including validators and administrators, must adhere to the protocol’s predefined rules, ensuring that XRP’s supply remains permanently capped.
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Addressing Concerns Over Circulating Supply
Another aspect of the discussion revolved around the potential existence of XRP beyond the publicly recognized supply. Some users speculated that modifications to early ledger structures, such as ledger 32,570, could imply the existence of unaccounted-for XRP in lost or inaccessible wallets.
Schwartz dismissed these concerns, explaining that verifying individual wallet balances from historical ledgers was unnecessary, as the system already ensures that no additional XRP exists outside the recorded supply. Mayukha Vadari, a senior software engineer at RippleX, reinforced this point by stating that the ledger itself serves as the definitive record of all XRP holdings. If any entity attempted to claim ownership of more XRP than what is accounted for, validators would reject such transactions outright.
The controversy surrounding XRP’s supply highlights the importance of understanding blockchain mechanics. As Schwartz and other experts within the XRP Ledger ecosystem have reaffirmed, the blockchain’s immutable rules ensure that the 100 billion XRP created at inception remains the absolute maximum supply. With stringent security measures and network-wide consensus protocols, the XRP Ledger remains resistant to inflationary changes, debunking any claims suggesting otherwise.
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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