What you'll learn 👉
What Is Xahau?
According to its whitepaper, Xahau is a new smart contract sidechain for the XRP Ledger (XRPL) ecosystem. It implements a feature called Hooks that allows developers to create decentralized applications (dApps) and smart contracts on top of the XRPL.
Xahau is a fork of the XRPL’s open source codebase rippled. It retains core XRPL features like the consensus protocol, decentralized exchange, and burning transaction fees. But it adds the new Hooks functionality for smart contracts.
How Does It Work?
Xahau works very similarly to the XRPL itself. It uses the same consensus protocol to validate transactions and achieve agreement on the state of the ledger.
The big difference is the addition of Hooks. Hooks are small pieces of code that execute custom logic on transactions before they are finalized. This allows things like enforcing business rules, escrow arrangements, registries, and other smart contract capabilities.
Xahau is meant to run in parallel to the main XRPL as a sidechain. This allows the XRPL ecosystem to start benefiting from smart contract capabilities before they may be added to the main XRPL itself.
What is XRP+ Token?
XRP+ (pronounced XRP Plus) is the native token of the Xahau network. It serves the same function as XRP does on the main XRPL – providing anti-spam protection by charging fees for transactions.
The supply of XRP+ is uncapped. The tokens are acquired in two main ways:
- By burning XRP on the mainnet and getting XRP+ through the Burn2Mint portal.
- By earning XRP+ that is minted as monthly rewards and adjustments by the protocol.
How Is XRP+ Related to XRP Token?
XRP+ has its value anchored to XRP. The Burn2Mint portal allows users to burn XRP on the mainnet in exchange for minting an equal amount of XRP+ on Xahau. This creates a direct valuation link between the two.
The supply of XRP+ is designed to be somewhat proportional to burned XRP. Up to the current XRP circulating supply can be minted via Burn2Mint. After that, monthly emissions are enabled to incentivize network activity.
So while XRP+ is a separate token, its value stems from and is backed by direct convertibility to XRP.
How To Get XRP+ Tokens?
There are two main methods to acquire XRP+:
- Use the Burn2Mint portal to burn XRP and mint XRP+. This clones your XRP wallet address onto Xahau.
- Earn monthly rewards in XRP+ by being an active user on Xahau. This incentivizes network usage.
Xahau launched with some initial distribution to founders and launch partners. But ongoing, XRP+ has to be acquired through burn-and-mint or earning activity rewards.
Is Xahau and XRP+ Token Bad For XRP and Ripple?
Xahau is not seen as competitive to XRP or harmful for Ripple. Rather, it is designed to complement the XRPL ecosystem.
It implements smart contract capabilities that may eventually make their way back into the main XRPL. Having a live sidechain to test this is seen as beneficial.
The burn-and-mint process serves as a decentralized bridge between the chains. It does not substantially impact XRP supply unless users highly value the Xahau features.
Ripple is not involved in Xahau’s development. But the project utilizes Ripple’s open source code and is meant to expand the functionality of the XRP Ledger as a whole.
If Ripple is not involved in Xahau’s development, it sure looks like copyright infringements.