The XRP Foundation released version 3.4.1 to address a recently discovered bug, deploying the new code weeks ago and making public binaries available on September 25. Foundation representatives stated that the bug did not result in the creation of new XRP and reiterated that the total token supply has remained at one hundred billion since launch. All ledger data remains publicly accessible, and current figures show about 99.986 billion XRP exist due to systematic destruction of tokens through transaction fees.
Controversy over bug bounty payout
Although critics did not dispute supply data, many took issue with the size of the reward offered for reporting the bug. Some participants in the discussion described the payout as an inadequate response, with one community member warning that “next time hackers will exploit first and ask for a bounty second.” Others argued that the XRP Foundation should have provided a much larger reward, given the potential severity of the flaw.
One user claimed the bug was catastrophic in its implications, emphasizing the importance of incentivizing responsible disclosure. Another observer commented that by not adequately rewarding bug finders, the foundation risked making malicious alternatives more attractive to skilled hackers. Criticism intensified with one participant stating that “XRP is a scam if a decent bounty is not paid,” warning that undisclosed bugs could pose greater threats in the future.
Another observer argued that a failure to offer a reasonable reward for critical bug discovery could push skilled researchers toward malicious alternatives rather than responsible disclosure.
Emergency response and decentralization debate
Ordinarily, major changes to the XRP ledger follow an amendment process that requires validator votes over multiple weeks. In response to this issue, however, the technical team bypassed standard protocol and delivered an emergency fix, marking the first such instance in over a decade.
Foundation officials explained that a publicly disclosed fix would have provided attackers with clues, especially given the speed at which AI tools can analyze code. They further stated that the emergency process was agreed upon jointly with RippleX, core developers, and network validators to protect the ecosystem.
Amid continued debate, some community members questioned the foundation’s claims of decentralization. One user cited a situation in which a company struggled to initiate a simple ledger update, while others asked why no safeguard exists to prevent accidental increases in supply beyond the cap.
Commitment to transparency and stronger security
The foundation formally thanked researchers Cayden Liao and Veria AI for their responsible disclosure. As part of its response, the organization pledged to increase its bug bounty program and strengthen testing protocols to address vulnerabilities more proactively.
Foundation representatives stated that triggering the bug demanded hundreds of intentionally constructed operations, making it unlikely that normal transactions would encounter it.
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Whether these reassurances will satisfy critics of the XRP Foundation’s current approach to security and governance remains to be seen, as community discussion continues.
