XRP News Today: XRP Ledger's Security Battle: Trust, Decentralization, and a Last-Place Ranking

The XRP Ledger, the blockchain underpinning the XRP token, has drawn significant scrutiny following its last-place security ranking in Kaiko’s latest Blockchain Ecosystem Ranking report. Scoring 41 out of 100 in the security category, the XRP Ledger was evaluated alongside 15 other blockchains across five metrics: governance, integration, liquidity, operational efficiency, and security. Ethereum, in contrast, received the highest score in the security category at 83, underscoring a significant disparity in perceived security standards [1]. Kaiko attributed the low score to several factors, including a supply chain attack in April 2025, a low Nakamoto coefficient, and a limited number of active validators [1].

The April incident involved a compromised official software development kit (SDK) for the XRP Ledger, which was injected with malware capable of stealing users’ private keys. While the core ledger and GitHub repository remained unaffected, the breach raised concerns about supply chain security. The XRP Ledger Foundation responded by replacing the compromised downloads and emphasized that the incident did not impact the network’s codebase. Ripple and the foundation defended the network’s security record, noting 13 years of continuous operation without a major incident affecting the core infrastructure [2].

Critics, however, argue that the XRP Ledger’s architecture inherently limits decentralization, a factor often seen as a proxy for security in the cryptocurrency community. The ledger currently operates with around 190 active validators, but only 35 are included in its default unique node list (UNL), which most participants use to achieve consensus. This limited validator set is viewed as a vulnerability, as it reduces the diversity of nodes and increases the potential for coordinated attacks. The low Nakamoto coefficient, a metric measuring the minimum number of independent entities required to compromise a network, further reinforces these concerns [1].

Despite these criticisms, XRP Ledger developers have pushed back against the low security ranking. Ayo Akinyele, engineering head at RippleX, argued that the ledger’s consensus design is resilient to attacks and that validators have no incentive to collude or censor. He also highlighted the open communication and transparency demonstrated during the April supply chain attack, noting that all stakeholders—including Ripple, the XRP Ledger Foundation, and independent developers—publicly addressed the issue [2]. Additionally, the XRP Ledger has received endorsements from security firms such as CertiK, Halborn, and FYEO, which have conducted audits and assigned it high security scores [2].

Efforts to address governance and decentralization concerns have been underway. The XRP Ledger Foundation announced a shift toward a community-based governance model in August 2024, with further institutionalization in November 2024 through its incorporation in France. These reforms aim to increase transparency and community involvement in decision-making, potentially addressing systemic concerns raised by Kaiko’s ranking. Such measures could help rebuild institutional and public trust, particularly as interest in blockchain-based solutions for cross-border payments and crypto payroll continues to grow [3].

The recent developments have not gone unnoticed in the market. As of the latest report, XRP trades at $2.91, down 0.61% in the 24-hour period. Analysts remain divided, with some predicting a potential recovery above $2.90 if a reversal in price movement occurs. Others have highlighted the growing institutional interest in XRP, particularly as Ripple’s legal battles with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) appear to be drawing to a close [5].

In conclusion, the XRP Ledger faces a critical juncture as it seeks to address concerns over security and decentralization while maintaining its position in the rapidly evolving blockchain landscape. The interplay of governance reforms, market dynamics, and regulatory clarity will be essential in determining its future trajectory.

Source:

[1] XRP Ledger sinks to last place in latest blockchain security ... (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/xrp-ledger-sinks-last-place-093702328.html)

[2] XRP Ledger Developers Refute Last-Place Security ... (https://decrypt.co/336095/xrp-ledger-developers-refute-last-place-security-ranking)

[3] XRP Ledger Faces Challenges: Security, Decentralization ... (https://www.onesafe.io/blog/future-of-xrp-ledger-security-and-decentralization)

[4] XRP Ledger team fires back at shocking low ranking (https://finance.yahoo.com/news/xrp-ledger-team-fires-back-223029134.html)

[5] XRP Price and Buying Insights: Key Trends, Predictions ... (https://www.okx.com/en-us/learn/xrp-price-buying-insights)