Ripple is transforming how funding and support are distributed across the XRP Ledger ecosystem, shifting toward a more distributed model.
The company announced the changes on February 26. It positions 2026 as a transition point in how builders access capital, mentorship, and technical support on XRPL.
XRP Ledger Enters New Phase as Ripple Expands Funding Channels in 2026
In a recent blog, Ripple noted that since 2017, it has deployed more than $550 million into XRP Ledger ecosystem initiatives, including non-equity grants, builder incentives, strategic partnerships, and growth programs.
The firm noted that 2026 introduces a transition toward a broader, more distributed funding structure. The stated goal is to give builders multiple funding channels.
“As the ecosystem matures, the focus is shifting toward expanding access to funding through more distributed and independent pathways so builders have multiple avenues to scale,” the blog read.
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As part of the plan, the organization introduced several new and scaled-up initiatives planned for 2026.
XAO DAO is a hybrid Decentralized Autonomous Organization (DAO) built for the XRP Ledger. It will empower members to collectively allocate resources through community grants, feedback loops, and direct DAO proposals. Additionally, this enables fast, low-friction funding for developers and early-stage projects.
“By shifting decision-making power toward a broader group of stakeholders, XAO DAO represents a significant step toward a more resilient and community-led governance model for the XRPL,” the firm said.
XRPL Commons, an independent organization, will continue supporting builders through initiatives like the GLOW program and The Aquarium, a 9-week incubator in Paris that has operated since 2023. The firm is also developing a new regional entity, XRP Asia, to serve the APAC builder community with localized funding and support.
In addition, the University Digital Asset Xcelerator (UDAX), which launched its inaugural cohort with UC Berkeley in fall 2025, is expanding in 2026 to Fundação Getulio Vargas in São Paulo, the University of Oxford, and UC Berkeley again in the fall.
On the institutional side, Ripple is launching a FinTech Builder Program to support startups building institutional-grade financial applications on XRPL.
The blog also revealed that a growing number of venture capital firms are mentoring teams, investing in startups, and connecting XRPL builders with global capital networks. Partner organizations include a100x Ventures, Superscrypt, Reforge, New Form Capital, Dragonfly, Pantera, Franklin Templeton, and Tenity. Their involvement signals broader institutional confidence in XRPL.
To enable access to this expanding ecosystem, Ripple announced that a new dedicated XRPL funding hub will soon launch. This will serve as a single entry point for builders to discover grants, accelerators, and support programs across the entire ecosystem.
XRP Price Slides Despite Ripple’s 2026 Expansion
The new initiatives come as XRP’s performance continues to track the broader market. BeInCrypto Markets data shows that the altcoin declined 2.24% over the past day. At press time, XRP was trading at $1.41.
XRP (XRP) Price Performance. Source: BeInCrypto Markets
In the short term, the funding shift is unlikely to move XRP’s price. Market performance is typically driven by liquidity conditions, macro trends, and regulatory developments rather than ecosystem restructuring.
Over the medium- to long-term, the impact depends on execution. If the FinTech Builder Program, XAO DAO, and venture participation translate into higher on-chain activity, institutional pilots, and real financial applications, sentiment could strengthen.
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Sustained adoption, transaction growth, and deeper integration of XRP into payment or tokenization flows would be required for any structural price effect to occur. Ultimately, usage metrics, not funding headlines, will determine whether this shift supports long-term valuation.
