XRPL Commons, a Paris-based nonprofit, announced its first fully online Aquarium cohort on October 13, selecting 13 startups from 11 countries to develop applications on the XRP Ledger. The ninth cohort of the startup program provides participants with education, mentorship, and grants to expand blockchain-based financial services.
According to David Bchiri, president of XRPL Commons, many selected teams already operate live products with active users. Graduates become eligible for funding tied to milestones.
Focus Areas Across Payments, AI, and Finance
The cohort encompasses five startups developing payment solutions: Xrpay focuses on e-commerce settlement using Ripple USD (RLUSD), Payinnov Labs combines card and stablecoin acceptance, Salypay targets AI-powered remittances and merchant payments, Netten provides business payouts, and Zeno develops privacy-preserving mobile transfers.
Two teams address AI-driven transactions. Ultra AI connects agents seeking business opportunities, while Agntpymt governs automated spending within corporate policies and audit requirements.
Four ventures focus on energy and credit applications. Megawatt enables fractional investment in commercial battery storage, Hestiax develops renewable energy lending, Straid supports borrowing RLUSD against XRP collateral, and Laguna works on tokenized private credit.
Two additional startups address inheritance and trade documentation. Genwealth automates asset succession and distribution, while Paper-Chain uses AI to verify letters of credit with planned escrow and stablecoin settlement functions.
Program Structure and Participation
The nine-week program includes workshops, technical and business coaching, and mentorship. An investor demonstration occurs midway through the cohort. The online format welcomes founders worldwide, particularly from Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Teams must have a working product and at least one full-time founder.
Four participants—Xrpay, Straid, Paper-Chain, and Netten—advanced from Make Waves, a preceding 90-day challenge that supported XRPL application development.
Broader Institutional Adoption
The startup cohort reflects expanding institutional use of the XRP Ledger. Standard Chartered now offers institutional RLUSD custody. Ripple's partnership with CSD BR mirrors investment fund ownership records on the blockchain, while a separate private credit platform operated by VERT records financing events throughout their lifecycle. Planned collateral mirroring with Ripple and LMAX Group would allow trading of bank-held tokens without transferring them to venues.
