XRP Price: Ripple Developer Proposes Native Staking Model Following ETF Launch

Key Points

• Ripple developer J. Ayo Akinyele proposed exploring native staking on the XRP Ledger following the launch of the first XRP ETF from Canary
• The XRPL currently uses a Proof of Association model with no staking rewards, where transaction fees are burned instead of distributed
• Akinyele suggests new programmability features could introduce fees that flow into a rewards pool without changing XRPL’s core design
• External platforms like Flare and Doppler Finance already offer yield-bearing systems using XRP or wrapped versions
• Ripple secured a $500 million strategic investment led by Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities, valuing the company at $40 billion

A Ripple developer has sparked discussion about introducing native staking to the XRP Ledger. The proposal comes as institutional adoption of XRP continues to grow.

J. Ayo Akinyele, a developer at Ripple, raised the topic of staking on the XRPL in recent comments. His remarks followed the launch of the first XRP ETF from Canary. The ETF represents a milestone for institutional access to the asset.

Akinyele explained that XRP has traditionally focused on moving value quickly and efficiently. The asset now supports payments, tokenized assets, and real-time liquidity across global markets. This expanding role raises questions about how participation models may evolve.

The XRPL operates differently from most blockchain networks. Many blockchains rely on staking to align incentives between validators and token holders. Staking rewards participation and strengthens security through financial benefits.

XRP takes a different approach. The XRPL has no staking rewards, and transaction fees are burned rather than distributed. This design emphasizes efficiency over financial incentives.

Current XRPL Design and Proof of Association

The XRPL uses a Proof of Association model. This system emphasizes trust, performance, and steady governance rather than financial stake. Introducing staking would require careful consideration of the ledger’s existing structure.

Akinyele stressed that any hypothetical staking model would need a clear reward source. It would also need a fair method of distribution. He explained that new programmability features could introduce fees that might flow into a rewards pool.

This direction aligns with Ripple’s broader tokenization and stablecoin roadmap. The company is already exploring these capabilities as part of its development plans.

Akinyele clarified that discussing staking is not a suggestion to change XRPL’s design. It is simply a way to analyze how incentive models shape network behavior. The ecosystem already experiments with yield through external services.

Exchanges and DeFi protocols offer yield-bearing systems that interact with XRP. Platforms like Flare and Doppler Finance provide these services. They work with XRP or wrapped versions of the asset.

Ripple’s Growth and Strategic Investment

Akinyele used these examples to show that innovation can grow without altering the XRPL’s foundation. The XRPL team recently rolled out its MPT tokenization standard for real-world assets. This development reinforces the point about innovation within existing parameters.

Ripple announced a $500 million strategic investment led by funds associated with Fortress Investment Group and Citadel Securities. The investment values the company at $40 billion. This capital will help advance the network and its services.

The company reports that total payment volume running through its network has surpassed $95 billion. Its stablecoin RLUSD has crossed a $1 billion market cap less than a year after launch. These figures demonstrate growing adoption of Ripple’s infrastructure.

Ripple president Monica Long outlined plans at the Swell 2025 event in early November. She previewed a new lending protocol aimed at giving businesses more ways to use XRP. The protocol would provide alternatives to simply holding the asset.

The company wants to position itself as a one-stop toolkit for financial institutions. This includes banks, payment companies, and asset managers. The goal is to offer services for issuing stablecoins, moving money across borders, and sourcing liquidity.

The XRPL faces competition from other blockchain networks. Many real-world asset tokenization projects are anchored on Ethereum and other smart contract platforms. This makes XRP a challenger rather than an incumbent in some markets.

Stablecoins like USDT and USDC currently dominate the market. They are dramatically larger than RLUSD by market cap. RLUSD remains a new entrant in a crowded field.

The staking discussion reflects broader questions about long-term engagement and incentives on the network. Akinyele said the purpose of exploring staking is to understand how future capabilities might coexist with XRPL’s core principles.

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