XRP News Today: XRP Ledger’s Carbon Footprint Fits in a Single Transatlantic Flight

Fresh data has emerged highlighting the XRP Ledger's exceptionally low electricity consumption and carbon footprint, positioning it as one of the most energy-efficient blockchain networks in operation today. According to figures from an XRP Ledger dUNL Validator, the entire network consumes approximately 493,677 kilowatt-hours annually, translating to 0.0201 watt-hours per transaction. This figure is notably lower than that of traditional proof-of-work blockchains, particularly Bitcoin , which consumes 187 terawatt-hours annually and emits around 104 million tons of CO₂ equivalent [1]. In contrast, the XRP Ledger’s carbon emissions stand at just 63 metric tons of CO₂ equivalent per year, or 8.1 milligrams per transaction [2].

The validator further emphasized the environmental efficiency of the XRP Ledger by comparing its annual carbon footprint to that of a single Boeing 747 transatlantic flight. This analogy underscores the network’s ability to facilitate global transactions with minimal environmental impact. The XRP Ledger achieves this through its unique consensus mechanism, which eliminates energy-intensive mining and is offset by carbon credits purchased via the EW Zero platform [1]. As the first major global carbon-neutral public blockchain, the XRP Ledger’s eco-friendly design has become a point of distinction in the broader blockchain ecosystem [3].

Recent developments have also showcased the XRP Ledger’s growth in real-world applications, particularly in the real-world assets (RWAs) sector. As of the second quarter of 2025, the network's market cap for RWAs reached $131.6 million, driven by new token launches including Ondo’s OUSG tokenized treasury fund and Guggenheim’s digital commercial paper. This expansion has been supported by events such as XRPL Apex in Singapore, which continues to attract institutional participants and innovators to the XRP Ledger ecosystem [1].

Despite this growth, user engagement metrics tell a mixed story. Average daily active addresses fell by 41% to 75,200, and new addresses dropped by 46.2% to 305,800, while daily transactions declined by 20% to 1.6 million. However, total addresses grew by 4% quarter-on-quarter to 6.5 million, and year-over-year metrics remained strong, with daily active addresses up 165.5% and new addresses surging 219.8%. These figures suggest a resilient user base and continued long-term adoption [1].

Stablecoins have remained a significant component of the XRP Ledger's success, with Ripple’s RLUSD experiencing a 49% increase in market cap to $65.9 million. This has solidified RLUSD’s position as the largest stablecoin on the XRP Ledger, outpacing newcomers like Circle’s USDC , USDB , EURØP, and XSGD. Additionally, the NFT sector has shown a notable resurgence, with daily transactions rising nearly 227% due to a tenfold increase in minting activity under the XLS-20 standard, which reached nearly 13.5 million mints [1].

The XRP Ledger’s energy efficiency and growing real-world utility position it as a model for sustainable blockchain innovation. As environmental concerns continue to shape the regulatory and public perception of crypto, the XRP Ledger’s data-driven approach to carbon neutrality and low energy consumption could serve as a benchmark for other networks seeking to improve their sustainability profiles.

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