The XRP Ledger community is buzzing after Ripple announced they’ll be building native smart contracts for the XRP Ledger. This news has caused a stir, particularly for Wietse Wind, founder of XRP Labs and the mastermind behind Hooks, a smart contract functionality he’s been developing for the XRP Ledger since 2020.
A Developer’s Disappointment
Wind is understandably upset. He poured his heart and soul into developing Hooks, a groundbreaking smart contract solution for the XRP Ledger. He even faced initial skepticism and limited support from the community. Now, Ripple’s sudden decision to create their own native smart contracts feels like a slap in the face.
Wind points out that Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, just a few months ago, publicly stated that the XRP Ledger was a “fixed function ledger” and that smart contracts were best left to other networks. This abrupt change in direction leaves Wind feeling betrayed.
Concerns About Collaboration and Redundancy
Wind also expresses concern about Ripple’s lack of collaboration and respect for the work he and his team have done. He fears that Ripple’s new smart contract functionality will be redundant and that the innovative benefits of Hooks will be ignored.
He questions why Ripple didn’t reach out to him and his team to discuss their plans or explore ways to integrate Hooks into their new approach. Instead, Ripple seems to be moving forward without acknowledging the contributions of developers like Wind.
A Call for Collaboration and Respect
Wind pleads with Ripple to reconsider their strategy. He believes that Ripple should embrace and support the existing Hooks technology, which has already been tested and proven.
He warns that pursuing a separate path will alienate developers and fracture the XRP Ledger ecosystem. Ultimately, Wind believes that Ripple’s next moves will determine whether they truly value the contributions of developers or prefer a more centralized approach to development.
The future of smart contracts on the XRP Ledger hangs in the balance. This situation raises important questions about collaboration, respect, and the role of developers in the future of blockchain technology.
