History of XRP Ledger in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: March 17, 2026

The XRP Ledger (XRPL), also referred to as the Ripple Protocol, is a cryptocurrency platform that was launched in 2012 by Ripple Labs. The XRPL makes use of the native cryptocurrency known as XRP and supports tokens, cryptocurrency, or other units of value, like frequent flyer miles or mobile minutes.

2011: Development of XRP Ledger Begins

In 2011, David Schwartz, Jed McCaleb, and Arthur Britto initiated the development of the XRP Ledger. Jed McCaleb started a discussion on BitcoinTalk.org titled "Bitcoin without mining".

September 2012: Open Coin Founded

In September 2012, shortly after the launch of the XRPL, McCaleb, Britto, and Chris Larsen founded the company Open Coin to operate on the ledger.

2012: XRP Ledger Launched

In 2012, Ripple Labs launched the XRP Ledger (XRPL), also known as the Ripple Protocol. The XRPL uses the native cryptocurrency XRP and supports various tokens and units of value.

2012: Technology of XRP Ledger Consensus Protocol Established

In 2012, the technology of the "XRP Ledger Consensus Protocol" was formally established.

September 26, 2013: OpenCoin Renamed to Ripple Labs

On September 26, 2013, OpenCoin officially changed its name to Ripple Labs, Inc., with Chris Larsen as its head. Unlike many cryptocurrencies, XRP was pre-mined with 100 billion tokens created at inception.

May 2018: Ashton Kutcher Donates $4 Million in XRP

In May 2018, Ashton Kutcher donated $4 million in XRP to a charity sponsored by Ellen DeGeneres, at which point the cryptocurrency was noted as the "third most-valuable cryptocurrency on the market".

July 13, 2023: Judge Torres Rules on XRP

On July 13, 2023, Judge Analisa Torres of the Southern District of New York ruled that the XRP token itself is not a security, though the manner in which it is sold could constitute the sale of a security.

March 2, 2025: Trump to Name XRP to Crypto Reserve

On March 2, 2025, President Donald Trump announced his intention to include XRP as one of five digital assets in a planned U.S. crypto strategic reserve.