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Koen van Schaijk
Koen van Schaijk

Xahau: The 1st Smart contracts on The XRP Ledger Ecosystem

Xahau is the next avenue of innovation within the XRP Ledger ecosystem, aiming to revolutionize it by introducing fast, secure, and cost-effective smart contracts. Built on the foundation of the XRPL’s DNA, Xahau leverages the XRP Ledger Consensus Protocol to provide a sidechain of the XRP Ledger supported by a vibrant community of validators and developers. In this article, we will explore the key features, benefits, and unique aspects of Xahau.

Xahau – Built from the XRPL’s DNA:

Built on Xahaud, a derivation of rippled – XRPL’s open-source framework, Xahau preserves the essentials that made XRPL a household name since 2012. This flawless integration not only gives it access to the pre-existing XRPL universe but also paves the way for pioneering smart contract functionalities.

At the core of Xahau’s functionality lies the XRP Ledger Consensus Protocol. This consensus mechanism overcomes the limitations of traditional approaches like Proof of Work (PoW) or Proof of Stake (PoS). By doing so – like XRPL mainnet – it eliminates the high energy consumption associated with PoW and ensures a more sustainable and efficient network.

The Power of Hooks:

Xahau introduces Hooks, a lightweight and efficient smart contract solution that offers several key benefits over conventional alternatives. These benefits include simplicity and efficiency, native integration with the ledger, low fees, scalability, and enhanced security and reliability. Hooks enable developers to create contracts that interact directly with on-ledger objects, balances, and transactions, simplifying the development process and ensuring seamless interoperability within it’s ecosystem.

These Hooks can be really simple and can be set in the form of “reject incoming payments <50 XRP” or “for every outgoing payment, send 5% to my savings account”. They can also be much more complex, and in combination with Evernode open up new opportunities for end users, consumers & retail blockchain interactions.

Monthly Balance Adjustment and Seat Rewards:

To incentivize active participation and appropriate governance, Xahau implements the Monthly Balance Adjustment and Seat Rewards mechanisms. The Monthly Balance Adjustment allows active users to claim an increase in their account balance, while the corresponding amount is rewarded to Governance Game validators. This approach aims to compensate users for using the network, which will know higher fees (but still very low) to compensate for compute resources consumed by Hooks.

The Xahau Launch Alliance

The Launch Parties of the Xahau Ledger, also known as the Xahau Launch Alliance, is a collaborative effort between five independent entities with a track record of building on and supporting the XRPL ecosystem. These entities, including XRPL Labs, GateHub Limited, Titanium OU, Evernode Labs Ltd, and Digital Governing OU each play a unique role in the alliance, and contribute to different aspects of the project.

Burned XRP and Initial Distribution

Xahau’s native token, Xahau XRP, is primarily sourced from XRP burnt on the XRPL and ported to Xahau via Burn2Mint. The protocol allows the minting of Xahau XRP equal to the XRP burned on mainnet, thus limiting the amount of XRP that can be re-minted on Xahau to the circulating supply on the XRPL mainnet.

Burn2Mint, a mechanism introduced by Xahau, addresses the growing concern of security breaches in the crypto industry. With numerous crypto bridges falling victim to hacking attempts on a daily basis, it has become imperative to adopt a more secure approach. Burn2Mint offers a solution that not only enhances user safety but also ensures the project’s integrity and safeguards the interests of developers. By allowing users to independently submit proof of completing their Burn to the network, Xahau eliminates the need for third-party verification, making it a more reliable and regulatory-friendly option. This innovative mechanism sets Xahau apart by prioritizing user security and reinforcing trust in the ecosystem.

The XRP community is currently engaged in a debate about the Initial Distribution of Xahau XRP to the Launch Parties of the Xahau Ledger. It’s Whitepaper outlines the distribution plan, allocating a total of 600 million XRP to the Launch Parties, recognizing their substantial contributions. Upon its launch, the distribution will take place as follows:

  • 12 million XRP for each of the eight Governance Game validator Seats.
  • 16 million XRP designated for GateHub to enhance DEX stablecoin liquidity.
  • 160 million XRP allotted to XRPL Labs for Intellectual Property support.
  • 328 million XRP earmarked for the XRPL Foundation, intended to ensure the XRPL Protocol’s health.

Despite these clear intentions, a portion of the XRP community speculates that these 600 million XRP+ tokens might flood the market at the present XRP mainnet price. This concern contrasts with the demonstrated commitment of the parties involved in the Xahau network’s development, who have exhibited a long-term dedication beyond just financial gain.

Its primary objective is to create an environment conducive to developers and retail participants, fostering innovation and serving as a platform for new use cases and utility. While the topic of significant token sales does raise legitimate concerns within the XRPL community, it’s important to emphasize that the Launch Parties are driven by motives other than mere profit-seeking.

Overall, the Xahau XRP distribution strategy underscores the dedication of the Launch Parties to the network’s growth and utility, which extends beyond short-term financial gains for themselves.

Conclusion

Xahau represents a significant milestone in the evolution of the XRPL ecosystem. By introducing smart contract capabilities through Hooks and leveraging the XRP Ledger Consensus Protocol, Xahau empowers developers and users with fast, secure, and cost-effective solutions. With a focus on simplicity, efficiency, and native integration, Xahau is poised to drive innovation and foster the growth of decentralized applications within the XRPL community. As Xahau launches fully functional and decentralized, it paves the way for a new era of smart contracts in the XRP Ledger ecosyst

Koen van Schaijk
Koen van Schaijk