Ripple Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz has clarified that absent early ledgers on the XRP Ledger (XRPL) resulted from a documented software bug during its testing phase, dispelling theories of intentional deletion. The public record begins at Ledger #32,570, with previous ledgers lost due to technical issues in the network’s developmental stages rather than deliberate tampering.
Schwartz emphasized that Ripple maintained unbroken ledger continuity from #32,570 onward to ensure transaction verifiability and system reliability. This preserved chain provides a foundation for the XRPL’s current operations and auditability.
The disclosure aims to bolster confidence in XRPL’s structural integrity and Ripple’s commitment to transparency. The company continues refining the ledger’s data preservation protocols to uphold security standards for all network participants.