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HomeCrypto NewsMarketCan Developers Create XRP out of Thin Air? XRPL Validator Provides Insight

Can Developers Create XRP out of Thin Air? XRPL Validator Provides Insight

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Recently, Vet, an XRP Ledger dUNL validator, explored the speculative scenario of individuals minting XRP tokens out of nowhere. 

In a post on X, Vet asked community members whether it was possible to generate new XRP tokens out of thin air.

Creating XRP out of Thin Air

Notably, this hypothetical scenario assumes the emergence of a bug in the XRPL system that developers could leverage to mint XRP tokens they are not authorized to possess. Given that the XRPL validator was not frankly soliciting public input on the possibility, he provided the answer promptly.

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Vet stated that if someone were to discover a bug enabling the creation of XRP out of thin air, the transaction would fail. In particular, the system would raise the “tecINVARIANT_FAILED” error message.

How XRPL Invariant Checker Works

Notably, the Invariant Checker is one of the security features of XRPL. It comprises a series of checks, distinct from regular transaction processing, to ensure that specific functions remain valid across all transactions.

XRPL developers created this mechanism to guarantee the blockchain’s integrity from yet-to-be-discovered bugs or even those intentionally introduced by bad actors. 

The invariant checker operates automatically following each transaction. It scrutinizes the transaction’s details for accuracy before confirming its outcomes on the ledger.

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Specifically, the XRPL invariant checker assesses transaction fees, account roots not deleted, XRP balance, ledger entry types match, trust lines, bad offers, no zero escrow, and valid new account root.

Should the transaction results violate any of the XRPL’s regulations, the invariant checker declines it with the “tecINVARIANT_FAILED” result.

Furthermore, the XRPL validator noted that this exception serves as the final safeguard that prevents corruption on the public XRP blockchain.

Interestingly, the Bitcoin network itself fell victim to a bug which resulted in this issue. In August 2010, an attacker exploited the vulnerability in the network to mint 184 billion BTC, earning the bug the title “184 Billion Bitcoin Bug.” Bitcoin’s anonymous creator Satoshi Nakamoto fixed the issue after five hours.

Invariant Checker with XRPL AMM

In response to Vet’s update, a commenter inquired about the situation before the Invariant Checker was added to the fix for the recently resolved AMM bug.

In reply, Vet clarified that the security checker existed during the AMM development, but it did not make it into the release. However, the RippleX team acknowledged the oversight and rectified it.

Moreover, the XRPL validator noted that with the additional safety measures now in place, such oversights are less likely to occur, which he considers a positive development.

DisClamier: This content is informational and should not be considered financial advice. The views expressed in this article may include the author's personal opinions and do not reflect The Crypto Basic opinion. Readers are encouraged to do thorough research before making any investment decisions. The Crypto Basic is not responsible for any financial losses.

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Abdulkarim Abdulwahab
Abdulkarim Abdulwahabhttp://thecryptobasic.com
Abdulkarim Abdulwahab is a seasoned crypto journalist who has established himself as a trusted voice in the world of blockchain and Web3. His extensive knowledge of the crypto space enables him to break down complex concepts into accessible language.

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