v3.2.0 server software, which aims to reduce operating costs and increase stability for corporate use in the XRP Ledger network, has become widespread. However, the old v3.1.3 version is still ahead in the number of nodes across the network. The main determining factor in the network continues to be the preferences of validators rather than the total number of nodes.
Threshold exceeded on validators
According to XRPSCAN data, there are approximately 833 active nodes on XRP Ledger. About 43% of them are using v3.2.0, while 51% are currently running on v3.1.3. Despite this, 31 of the 35 validators in the default Unique Node List, which is the basis for network upgrades, have upgraded to the new version. This indicates a rate of approximately 89%.
Unique Node List, UNL for short, refers to the set of validators that XRP Ledger trusts. More than 80% of the validators on this list must provide uninterrupted support for two weeks for a new software version or a change proposal to go live on the network.
In XRP Ledger, validator support within the default UNL determines whether the upgrade is completed or not, not the total number of nodes.
This chart shows that although the transition across the network seems slow, the majority of decision-making validators have adopted the update. Therefore, even though the technically necessary threshold has been exceeded, support will need to be maintained for the necessary time for the process to be completed.
| Indicator | v3.2.0 | v3.1.3 |
|---|---|---|
| Active nodes in the network | 43% | 51% |
| Default UNL validators | 31/35, about 89% | 4/35 |
| Activation threshold | 80% | stays under |
Security changes are voted on separately
The change called fixCleanup3_2_0, linked to the v3.2.0 package, is undergoing a separate on-chain vote. This offering includes several security fixes and improvements to newer features such as single-asset vaults, permissioned decentralized exchanges, multi-purpose tokens, and lending protocol.
Mini dictionary: UNL is the list of trusted validators that XRP Ledger references for transaction confirmation. MPT refers to the token structure developed on XRP Ledger, which can support multiple usage scenarios.
The lending protocol stands out as an on-chain system that allows users to obtain loans against common pools of funds. fixCleanup3_2_0 also adds internal controls to prevent deleted accounts from leaving messy data behind.
The verifier’s switching to new software and approving the fixCleanup3_2_0 change are not the same process; While software adoption is higher, change voting lags behind.
Ripple supports the change
Ripple, the payments company created by the founders of XRP Ledger, voted in support of the fixCleanup3_2_0 change. However, the support rate for the change remains significantly below the adoption level for the software upgrade.
Validators who fail to update after the change goes into effect may end up blocked by the network’s definition of the amendment. In this scenario, relevant validators will face the risk of having their access to the ledger cut off.
