Ripple is evaluating whether native staking could be integrated into the XRP Ledger to expand XRP’s role in decentralized finance, while maintaining the protocol’s consensus stability. The discussion began after J. Ayo Akinyele, Head of Engineering at RippleX, published a detailed blog post outlining how staking might enhance long-term participation, network security and XRP utility if implemented correctly.
Akinyele noted that as new capabilities emerge around the XRP Ledger, including onboarding digital asset treasuries and ETF-based usage, it is natural to reassess how XRP can maintain its competitive edge. He argued that staking typically strengthens blockchain ecosystems by aligning incentives among validators and token holders, rewarding those who help secure consensus.
However, he emphasized that enabling staking on XRPL requires a “source of staking rewards” and a fair distribution mechanism. This would demand changes at the core protocol level because XRPL currently burns transaction fees to maintain efficiency and deflationary supply. Unlike Proof of Stake models, the XRP Ledger was originally designed for fast global value transfer and cross-border liquidity, powered by the Proof of Association model that prioritizes trust relationships over financial incentives.
Potential Staking Models for XRPL
Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, expanded the conversation by outlining two possible conceptual models for adding staking to XRPL. His first idea involves a two-layer consensus architecture. In this model, an “inner layer” of around 16 incentivized validators would be selected by the existing “outer layer” based on stake. This inner group would manage ledger advancement, apply slashing to prevent double signing, and ensure reliable validation, while the outer layer would maintain oversight of amendments, fees and governance.
Schwartz’s second concept retains XRPL’s existing consensus design but introduces zero-knowledge proofs, allowing fees to support ZK-based verification without requiring a full staking overhaul. Zero-knowledge proofs enable verification of correctness without revealing additional data, which could preserve XRPL’s trust-minimized structure.
Challenges and Outlook
Despite these proposals, Schwartz cautioned that both approaches require “massive complexity, effort and risk,” making native staking unlikely to arrive soon. He described the ideas as technically promising but not practical in the near term.
Ripple’s exploratory discussions reveal the company’s interest in expanding XRP’s utility within DeFi, yet they also highlight the architectural challenges in modifying a system designed for stability and efficiency. Whether staking becomes part of XRPL’s future remains uncertain, but the conversation signals a significant strategic evaluation within RippleX’s developer ecosystem.
Market Context
According to CoinGecko, XRP is trading at $2.13, showing a modest 0.2 percent rise in the past 24 hours as the staking debate continues to gain attention.