Ripple has officially released a major foundational upgrade to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), version 3.0.0 of the rippled core software. The update, announced on December 10, 2025, is designed to enhance network stability, expand decentralized finance (DeFi) capabilities, and improve the overall developer experience. Ripple engineers describe the release as a critical step in preparing the ledger for future features like native lending and the integration of tokenized real-world assets and stablecoins, which are central to the company's institutional DeFi strategy.
Key technical improvements in the v3.0.0 upgrade include the introduction of a native lending protocol, which enables decentralized lending directly on the XRPL. The update also addresses data inconsistencies by fixing accounting issues in multi-purpose token escrows and resolving rounding errors in liquidity provider token transactions, ensuring greater precision in transaction records and token balances. Furthermore, the "simulate API method" has been enhanced with new metadata fields, providing developers and analysts with deeper insights for building more robust DeFi tools and dashboards.
On the performance and security front, Ripple has implemented several bug fixes, streamlined the codebase, and added support for new data types like STInt32, which allows for negative values and enhances the protocol's flexibility for complex financial logic. Node operators are being urged to update immediately, as older software may fall out of sync as new amendments activate.
Following the upgrade, XRP's market activity showed positive momentum. The token's price rose to approximately $2.08, marking a 1.50% increase in the 24 hours post-announcement. Trading volume surged by nearly 50%, and futures open interest climbed by 1.51% within an hour and 4% over the past day, indicating heightened investor interest and confidence in the upgrade's impact.
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