- Ripple plans to decentralize XRP Ledger funding starting in 2026.
- New XAO DAO will give community members voting power.
- FinTech Builder Program targets institutional-grade financial applications.
Ripple is preparing a structural overhaul of how the XRP Ledger ecosystem is funded and governed, signaling a move away from centralized support toward a broader, community-led model beginning in 2026.
For years, much of the ecosystem’s financial support flowed through Ripple-backed initiatives such as XRPL Grants. Those programs will continue, but executives say 2026 marks a pivot toward diversified capital channels designed to make the network more resilient.
Several new programs form the backbone of this transition.
FinTech Builder Program Targets Institutional Use Cases
Ripple plans to introduce a FinTech Builder Program aimed at startups developing institutional-grade financial applications on XRPL. The focus areas include stablecoin payments, tokenization, regulated financial services, and digital credit infrastructure.
The program will include accelerator partnerships with venture firms, regional startup competitions to identify global talent, and post-hackathon builder awards to support projects entering growth phases.
XAO DAO: Expanding Community Governance
A central feature of Ripple’s decentralization strategy is the launch of XAO DAO, a hybrid decentralized autonomous organization designed specifically for XRPL participants.
The DAO will allow members to vote on funding allocation across several areas, including microgrants for early-stage developers, structured community feedback processes, and ecosystem governance proposals.
By distributing decision-making authority across a broader stakeholder base, Ripple appears intent on strengthening the network’s independence and long-term durability.
XRPL Commons and Regional Expansion
Another pillar of the evolving support framework is XRPL Commons, an independent ecosystem entity that has already launched initiatives such as the GLOW program and The Aquarium, a Paris-based incubator supporting early-stage XRPL startups.
Regional expansion is also underway, including developments such as XRP Asia, as Ripple seeks to broaden adoption across high-growth markets.
A dedicated XRPL funding hub is expected to launch as a centralized information portal that aggregates grants, accelerator programs, and support channels across the ecosystem.
Market Reaction Remains Mixed
Despite these structural developments, XRP’s short-term price action continues to be driven largely by broader market sentiment.
XRP traded near $1.37 at press time, down roughly 4% over 24 hours, and its 24-hour volume declined by 26% to $3.21B. Technically, XRP faces near-term support between $1.31 and $1.13.
Related: XRP Price Outlook for March 2026, According to ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok
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