Ripple Developer Revives Debate on XRP Staking and Future Network Participation

Ripple developer J. Ayo Akinyele has sparked fresh discussion around how XRP could evolve as adoption expands, particularly with the idea of introducing staking to the XRP Ledger (XRPL). His commentary comes at a time when XRP is gaining renewed institutional attention, highlighted by Canary’s launch of the first XRP ETF, and as the asset continues to scale across global payment and liquidity markets.

Akinyele noted that XRP has always been designed for speed, efficiency, and moving value across borders. With the network now supporting payments, tokenized assets, and real-time liquidity, he believes it is natural for the community to explore future participation models. Unlike many blockchains that rely on staking to incentivize validators, the XRPL uses a unique Proof of Association model that prioritizes trust, consistent performance, and sustainable governance. XRP does not use staking, nor does it offer rewards—transaction fees are burned rather than redistributed, contributing to the system’s efficiency.

Because of this distinct architecture, Akinyele stressed that any consideration of staking would require thoughtful evaluation. A potential model would need a transparent rewards source and fair distribution. He suggested that new programmability features being developed by Ripple—especially around tokenization and stablecoins—could introduce fees that flow into a reward pool, though he clarified that this exploration does not imply changes to XRPL’s current design.

Akinyele also pointed out that yield opportunities already exist outside the ledger through exchanges and DeFi platforms like Flare and Doppler Finance, which offer yield-bearing products tied to XRP or wrapped XRP. These examples show that innovation can grow without altering XRPL’s core principles. He emphasized that the real value of discussing staking lies in understanding how future features could integrate with the dependable, trust-centered foundation that makes XRP stable and widely trusted.

Overall, Akinyele’s insights highlight XRP’s cautious, responsible approach to growth—one that balances new possibilities with the resilience and reliability that define the XRPL.