XRP vs. Ripple vs. the XRP Ledger
People say "Ripple" for three different things. Untangling them answers most XRP questions, including whether it's a stablecoin and whether you can mine it.
Ripple is a private US company that builds payment software. The XRP Ledger (XRPL) is a public blockchain that launched in 2012, and XRP is its native coin. XRP is not a stablecoin: its price moves freely. Ripple's dollar stablecoin is a separate token called RLUSD. XRP can't be mined, because all 100 billion XRP were created when the ledger launched.
What is Ripple?
Ripple Labs is a private company based in San Francisco. It sells payment and custody services to banks and businesses, some of which use XRP to move money between currencies. Ripple received a large share of XRP when the ledger launched and still holds billions of XRP, much of it locked in escrow that releases on a schedule. You can't buy shares in Ripple on a stock exchange (more in how to buy XRP).
What is the XRP Ledger?
The XRP Ledger is an open-source blockchain run by independent servers around the world. Instead of mining or staking, a set of trusted validators agree on each new ledger version every 3 to 5 seconds. It has a built-in exchange and lets anyone issue tokens on it. Ripple is one of many validators and contributors; it can't change the rules on its own.
Is XRP a stablecoin?
No. A stablecoin is designed to hold a fixed value, usually $1. XRP's price is set by buyers and sellers and can swing a lot: it has fallen more than 80% from its peaks before. The confusion comes from Ripple's own stablecoin, RLUSD (Ripple USD), launched in December 2024, which is designed to stay at $1 and is backed by dollar reserves. RLUSD runs on both the XRP Ledger and Ethereum. It's a different token from XRP.
Can you mine or stake XRP?
No to mining: all 100 billion XRP were created at launch, and the ledger doesn't use proof of work. Anything sold as an "XRP miner" or "Ripple mining app" is a scam or isn't really mining XRP. No to native staking, either: the XRP Ledger has no staking rewards. Platforms offering "interest on XRP" are lending your coins to someone else, which carries the risk that the platform fails. See staking and yield.
The total supply very slowly falls, because a tiny amount of XRP is destroyed as a fee on every transaction.
XRP vs. XRPL, side by side
| Compare | XRP | XRP Ledger (XRPL) | Ripple |
|---|---|---|---|
| What it is | A coin | A blockchain | A company |
| Can you buy it? | Yes, on exchanges or through ETFs | No; you use it | Not on a stock exchange (private) |
| Who runs it | Holders trade it freely | Independent validators | Its management and investors |
Frequently asked questions
Is XRP the same as Ripple?
No. Ripple is a company. XRP is the coin of the XRP Ledger, a public blockchain Ripple supports but doesn't control.
Is XRP a stablecoin?
No. XRP's price moves freely. Ripple's stablecoin is RLUSD, a separate token designed to stay at $1.
Can you mine XRP?
No. All 100 billion XRP were created when the ledger launched in 2012. "XRP mining" apps are scams.
What does Ripple do?
It sells cross-border payment, stablecoin and custody services to financial companies.
Where to next
Sources
- What is XRP? (xrpl.org)
- XRP Ledger history (xrpl.org)
- Ripple reaffirms no IPO plans (The Block, Jan 2026)
Written for beginners and checked against the sources listed. Last reviewed October 26, 2026. This page is educational and is not financial, tax or legal advice. How we write and check pages.