XRP Ledger 2.5.0 Release Boosts Ripple Network Features

The latest XRP Ledger 2.5.0 upgrade brings major advancements to the Ripple ecosystem, elevating XRP’s position in the competitive blockchain landscape. This significant update bolsters XRP Ledger’s capabilities, putting it in closer contention with giants like Ethereum and Solana.

Key Enhancements and Technical Fixes

One of the core features introduced in version 2.5.0 is batch transaction support. This function enables several requests to be handled collectively as a single transaction, allowing for greater processing efficiency and enabling more sophisticated, multi-layered operations on the XRP Ledger (XRPL).

Escrow capabilities have also evolved with this release. The addition of support for RLUSD and other trustline-based tokens allows escrows to manage automated fund releases. These improvements enhance utility around financial use cases like vesting schedules and secure deposits for decentralized apps.

Moreover, the XRP Ledger now includes new permissioned decentralized exchange (DEX) controls alongside permission delegation functionality. These enhancements empower developers and organizations to apply access-based restrictions within trading environments — a critical step toward aligning with stringent regulatory requirements. Users can now also authorize other wallets to act on their behalf through clearly defined permission rules, fostering greater control and automation within the network.

Performance and operational reliability have also improved thanks to several critical bug fixes. Issues affecting how remote procedure call (RPC) responses were handled, particularly error codes (tem codes) and interactions with NFTs over trustlines, have been resolved. According to Vet, a widely recognized XRPL validator, these updates improve speed, consistency, and overall system performance.

Network Improvements and Developer Tools

Alongside its technical fixes, XRPL now offers increased throughput, accommodating more simultaneous transactions. The relay logic has been reworked to further streamline network communication. Additionally, XRPL Commons has been designated as a trusted bootstrap node, leading to improved connectivity across the ecosystem.

A past challenge related to conflicting signing methods has been addressed by refining how multiple signers operate within a transaction. This provides a smoother experience for users managing complex multi-signature setups.

Developers will find value in optimized memory efficiency, less redundant network traffic, faster build times, and clearer documentation. Compatibility improvements specifically target systems running Ubuntu 22.04 and newer, ensuring that development processes align with current infrastructure standards.

XRP Ledger’s upgrade arrives during a period of notable growth. Active addresses on the network spiked dramatically, jumping from an average of 40,000 to nearly 295,000 — a more than sevenfold increase. Whale wallets also hit a historical peak, reaching 2,708 accounts holding significant amounts of XRP, the highest in XRPL’s 12-year history.

As XRP continues to evolve, its rivals face mounting challenges. Solana’s decentralized exchange activity and liquidity have suffered notable declines, with DEX volume plummeting by 90% since January. The platform also experienced a capital outflow of $2.5 billion, coupled with waning interest in meme-based tokens as competing blockchains like BNB Chain gain traction. Ethereum is grappling with persistent scalability issues, leading to delays and rising gas costs during high-traffic periods.

Related: Expert Advice: Sell XRP If You’re Confused

In contrast, XRP appears to be leveraging these opportunities. The recent upgrade has helped fuel investor confidence, with XRP gaining nearly 6% and currently trading at $2.20. This trajectory signals growing momentum for Ripple’s core ecosystem, as it strengthens its infrastructure to support both enterprise-grade and retail use cases.