Wietse Wind, the founder of XRP Labs and a key figure in the XRP Ledger ecosystem, has publicly voiced his discontent with Ripple’s recent decision to introduce native smart contract functionality to the XRP Ledger. Wind, known for his innovative contributions, including the Xaman wallet (formerly Xumm) and the groundbreaking Hooks feature, expressed his disappointment in an open letter to the XRP community and Ripple.
The Hooks functionality, a Layer 1 smart contract solution developed by Wind, has been in development since July 2020. This feature was designed to allow developers to customize transaction behaviors on the XRP Ledger, making it a critical tool for those looking to build on the platform. However, Ripple’s recent announcement that they will now introduce their own native smart contract capabilities has left Wind and many in the XRP community feeling blindsided.
The Ripple Revelation – A Sudden Shift in Strategy
For years, Ripple maintained that the XRP Ledger was a “fixed function ledger” and that smart contracts were better suited for other networks, such as the EVM Sidechain and Xahau. This stance was echoed by Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, as recently as three months ago at the XRP Ledger Apex conference. Therefore, Ripple’s sudden pivot to develop native smart contracts has sparked confusion and concern among developers who have been working under the assumption that no such functionality would be integrated directly into the mainnet.
Wind’s open letter outlines his frustration with what he perceives as a lack of transparency and collaboration from Ripple. He detailed the extensive efforts and challenges faced by his team in bringing Hooks from concept to a fully operational feature. Wind’s dedication to enhancing the XRP Ledger through Hooks was met with skepticism and limited support initially, but his team persevered, turning it into a battle-tested implementation that has now been overshadowed by Ripple’s new direction.
A Community at a Crossroads
The implications of Ripple’s decision extend beyond mere technical concerns. Wind’s letter highlights the potential redundancy of his work and the disregard for the contributions of independent developers. “We designed and built Hooks, and poured in all our excitement, passion, and good faith,” Wind wrote. “It would be a shame if we end up allowing only Xahau to reap the innovative benefits of our endeavor.”
Moreover, Wind expressed his bewilderment at Ripple’s suggestion of exploring alternative technologies or iterations of Hooks without involving his team—the original architects of the feature. This, he argues, raises questions about Ripple’s commitment to genuine community collaboration and respect for the contributions of ecosystem developers.
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Ripple’s Next Move – A Test of Values
Wind concludes his letter with a plea for Ripple to reevaluate its strategic choices. He emphasizes the need for a plan that acknowledges and leverages the work of developers like himself who have been instrumental in driving innovation on the XRP Ledger. “The future of smart contracts on the XRP Ledger hangs in the balance,” Wind warns. “Ripple’s next moves will definitively show whether it truly values ecosystem contributions or prefers a more centralized, corporate-driven approach to development.”
As the XRP community waits to see how Ripple will respond, the tension between corporate strategy and grassroots innovation is palpable. The outcome of this clash could have lasting effects on the direction of the XRP Ledger and the broader cryptocurrency ecosystem.
Disclaimer: The information in this article is for general purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. The author’s views are personal and may not reflect the views of Chain Affairs. Before making any investment decisions, you should always conduct your own research. Chain Affairs is not responsible for any financial losses.
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