In a recent tweet, XRP Ledger dUNL validator Vet outlined Ripple CTO David Schwartz’s blueprint for smart contracts on the XRP Ledger.
Schwartz joined RippleX software engineers Mayukha Vadari, Bias Goose, and Dan Fisher in a discussion on X-Space “XRPL Programmability.”
Vet summarized the insights provided by the Ripple CTO into four points. A few weeks ago, XRP achieved a major smart contract milestone with the launch of XRP Ledger smart contract functionality on its dedicated development network, AlphaNet.
David talks about smart contracts on the XRP Ledger.
1) You don’t need a fully generic SC. It doesn’t have to be the best SC platform. A little programmability via SC is sufficient.
2) Enhance native functionality. If you can’t connect native features, they won’t be of much use.
3)… pic.twitter.com/WENSRxRJUI
— Veterinarian (@Vet_X0) November 27, 2025
Veterans said Schwartz explained the rationale for limited smart contracts in XRPL. According to the Ripple CTO, he added that the XRP ledger may not require a full general-purpose smart contract and may just require a little bit of programmability via smart contracts. “It doesn’t have to be the best SC platform, just having a little bit of programmability through SC is enough.”
Schwartz envisions a scenario where smart contracts power native functionality, adding that if native functionality can’t be connected to each other, they won’t be of much use.
Ripple CTO reiterated the importance of safety and emphasized the essence of small steps. While this approach doesn’t allow for full-fledged programmability, it does allow for measured steps, which Schwartz believes will yield the best feedback in the real world.
The limited design of SCs-XLS101 allows for large modification groups to avoid protocol changes. This is believed to significantly improve the security of the protocol for all parties using XRPL, including banks and individual users.
XLS-101 Smart Contract
As discussions continue regarding the XRP Ledger’s smart contract implementation, RippleX software engineer Mayukha Vadari shares a reminder in a tweet regarding the XLS-101 smart contract.
“Note: XLS-101 smart contracts are not EVM-based,” Mayukha wrote in a tweet. XLS-101 smart contracts are distinct from the XRPL EVM sidechain, which is a standalone blockchain that supports Ethereum smart contracts.
The XLS-101 smart contract is a formal design of a smart contract system for XRPL and takes inspiration from several existing smart contract systems (including Xahau hooks and EVM).
As reported, Vet previously clarified misconceptions about the XRP Ledger smart contract, pointing out that it is not intended to be exactly the same as some existing designs, nor is it intended to replace the existing building blocks of XRPL or change the consensus protocol that pays validators.
