XRP Ledger Activates Crucial Price Oracle Amendment: Here’s Why It Matters

• The activation of the Price Oracle amendment on the XRP Ledger enhances its DeFi capabilities by integrating off-chain data, crucial for executing accurate smart contracts and expanding decentralized applications.
• This update may increase demand for XRP, positioning the XRPL competitively against other blockchain platforms, particularly as Ripple prepares to introduce smart contract support.

The XRP Ledger (XRPL) has activated the highly anticipated Price Oracle amendment, enabling the integration of off-chain data through oracles. This update follows Ripple’s recent positioning to become a competitor to Chainlink, as previously highlighted by CNF. With the release of oracles in Q2 2024 on the XRPL, if it could  propel XRP’s price to a new all-time high (ATH).

This key update, announced by XRPL validator Vet, states that the XRP Ledger Price Oracle amendment is now activated. Oracles can bring off-chain data to the XRP Ledger, which is useful for decentralized finance (DeFi) and eventually for smart contract dApps.

#XRP Ledger Price Oracle amendment is now activated!

Oracles can bring off chain data to the XRP Ledger.

Useful for Decentralized Finance and eventually smart contract dapps. pic.twitter.com/5mPQ3hC5sO

— Vet (@Vet_X0) November 2, 2024

The amendment is designed to bolster decentralized finance (DeFi) capabilities on the XRPL by providing external, real-world data for use in smart contracts and financial transactions.

Expanding DeFi Applications with Real-World Data

The Price Oracle amendment allows oracles to connect blockchain-based applications on the XRPL to real-world data, such as cryptocurrency price feeds and live market data. This access is essential for executing accurate smart contracts and broadening DeFi’s scope on the XRPL.

With Ripple’s plan to add smart contract support, the amendment paves the way for more complex financial products and decentralized applications (dApps), significantly advancing XRPL’s DeFi capabilities.

Positive Market Sentiment and Competitive Positioning

Within the XRP community, there is speculation that this update may drive up demand for XRP, as the XRPL’s enhanced functionality could attract more developers and users. With reliable data integration, the XRPL is well-positioned to compete in the DeFi space, especially alongside platforms like XLM, which added smart contract support in early 2024.

This development underscores the XRPL’s adaptability and innovation, potentially strengthening its long-term market position. At the time of writing, Ripple (XRP) is trading at $0.5347, having surged by 5.08% in the past day and 2.62% in the past week.