XRP Validators May Be Advised to Downgrade rippled 2.6.0 to 2.5.1 After Memory, Boost Library Issues

• Rollback Recommended: Validators running rippled 2.6.0 should move to rippled 2.5.1

• rippled 2.5.1 restores a fix for stalled consensus rounds and omits problematic 2.6.0 changes pending further testing

• XRPL team is tracking two active 2.6.0 issues: increased memory usage and Boost library upgrade failures

rippled 2.5.1 release: immediate validator rollback advised to avoid stalled consensus; read steps to update now. (Update from COINOTAG)

A crucial upgrade alert has been issued for XRP Ledger validators. On the XRP Ledger, validators are independent servers run by individuals, organizations, or exchanges that participate in consensus.

XRPL infrastructure provider Alloy Networks publicly advised validators running rippled 2.6.0 to revert to rippled 2.5.1 while the XRPL team addresses outstanding issues. A similar warning came from Vet, an XRPL dUNL validator, recommending immediate action to avoid service disruption.

What happened with rippled 2.6.0?

rippled 2.6.0, released in late August, introduced changes that triggered two active issues now being tracked by the XRPL team: increased memory usage and problems related to the Boost library upgrade. These issues can impair node stability and consensus participation.

As a result, the XRPL team recommended the UNL community roll back to rippled 2.5.1, which retains a critical fix for stalled consensus rounds while excluding the problematic 2.6.0 changes until they are resolved.

How does rippled 2.5.1 address stalled consensus?

Version 2.5.1 includes a targeted fix to improve stalled consensus detection, preventing false positives in rounds where no disputed transactions exist. This reduces unnecessary node desynchronization and helps maintain ledger liveness.

The 2.5.1 release contains no major feature changes beyond bug fixes. It restores known-stable behavior for consensus monitoring and ensures validators have a reliable baseline while the remaining 2.6.0 work is reviewed and patched.

Who issued the warnings and what did they say?

Alloy Networks and validator operator Vet publicly recommended moving away from rippled 2.6.0. The XRPL team confirmed the tracking of two key issues and advised the community to adopt 2.5.1 pending a corrected future release.

When should validators act?

Validators should act immediately if running rippled 2.6.0. Operators on earlier versions should verify their current stability and consider upgrading to 2.5.1 only if they are experiencing stalled consensus behavior or if directed by their governance/UNL policies.

What monitoring should be used after changing versions?

After installing 2.5.1, monitor memory usage, consensus round timing, and log warnings for at least 24–72 hours. Maintain configuration and ledger backups so you can recover quickly if unexpected behavior occurs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is rippled 2.5.1 safe to run for production validators?

Yes. rippled 2.5.1 is the recommended stable release that includes the fix for stalled consensus detection and excludes the problematic changes found in 2.6.0. Validators should still monitor performance metrics after deployment.

Can I upgrade later instead of rolling back?

If you are not on 2.6.0 and your node is stable, immediate action may not be required. Validators running 2.6.0 should roll back. Future releases will reintroduce 2.6.0 improvements once the memory and Boost issues are fixed.

Key Takeaways

• Immediate action: Validators running rippled 2.6.0 should move to rippled 2.5.1 to avoid consensus instability.
• Root causes: Two tracked issues—memory growth and Boost upgrade failures—motivated the rollback recommendation.
• Best practice: Backup configs and ledger data, apply 2.5.1 from trusted sources, and monitor node health after the change.

Conclusion

COINOTAG reports that rippled 2.5.1 is the advised release for XRP Ledger validators after issues were detected in rippled 2.6.0. Validators should prioritize stability—back up, install 2.5.1 if affected, and monitor consensus metrics. Expect a patched future release once XRPL maintainers validate fixes.