Zerpaay Labs Criticizes Ripple's Grant Program, Cites Lack of Transparency

Zerpaay Labs, a project developed on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), has openly expressed dissatisfaction with Ripple and its grant program. The company cited repeated rejections and a lack of transparency in the grant application process as significant obstacles for developers seeking funding and recognition within the XRPL ecosystem.

In a detailed tweet, Zerpaay outlined the challenges they faced while building on the XRPL. The process typically begins with a strong idea and the development of a proof of concept. Developers then apply for a Ripple grant, but often encounter long waiting periods without any feedback. Despite demonstrating commitment by continuing development, they may still face rejection. Venture capitalists are also reluctant to support projects built on XRPL, further complicating the funding landscape.

Zerpaay reported 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. The company emphasized the significance of Ripple’s approval within the XRPL ecosystem, noting that the community tends to accept projects more readily when they receive recognition from Ripple.

To build their platform, Zerpaay invested substantial personal funds and developed a full XRPL ecosystem. This includes 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, highlighting the challenges faced by developers in the XRPL ecosystem.

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.” The tweet received engagement from members of the XRPL community, including an XRPL validator who disagreed with Zerpaay’s assertion that Ripple’s endorsement dictates community adoption. The validator 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. The situation underscores the need for greater transparency and support within the XRPL ecosystem to foster innovation and development.