XRP Today News: Ripple CEO Discusses the Concept of Native XRP Staking, Sparking Heated Discussions in the Community

In November 2025, Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse and Engineering Head J. Ayo Akinyele publicly discussed the possibility of introducing native stake functionality to the XRP Ledger (XRPL), marking an important milestone in the evolution of the network.

This discussion coincides with a critical development period for the XRP ecosystem: the first XRP spot ETF launched by Canary, significant improvement in institutional adoption, and the continuous expansion of XRPL's applications in asset tokenization and real-time liquidity. Akinyele pointed out that the current fee burn mechanism of XRPL and the unique design of validator voting rights that do not rely on token holdings mean that any shift towards staking would require new sources of rewards and fair distribution methods. This fundamental change will affect the flow path of value within the network.

Evolution and Functionality Expansion of the XRPL Network

The XRP ledger is undergoing a significant transformation from focusing on fast payments to supporting diverse use cases. According to Ripple's engineering lead Akinyele, the role of XRP has transcended fast payments and now supports functions such as asset tokenization settlement and real-time liquidity across markets. He particularly emphasized that the launch of the first XRP spot ETF from Canary demonstrates that institutions are beginning to adopt products built on XRP.

This post reached a wide audience and encouraged discussions about how the future of the network might change. The XRPL community is seriously considering how to introduce new features without compromising the core values of the network, especially the concept of native stake. Unlike many modern networks that guide participation through staking, XRPL adopts a different model—its fees are burned, and the voting rights of validators are not tied to token holdings.

XRPL Technical Architecture and Design Philosophy

The consensus model of XRPL, known as “Proof of Association,” is built around trust among validators. Akinyele points out that this design supports long-term stability and points to ongoing experiments from exchanges and DeFi platforms such as Uphold, Flare, Doppler Finance, Axelar, and MoreMarkets. These projects demonstrate that stake-based systems can be built without altering the core network.

Akinyele explained that discussing new ideas helps clarify which parts should remain unchanged as new functional layers emerge. Many networks today use stake to adjust incentives, but XRP is different because it focuses on stability, trust, and low-cost transactions. Any move towards stake requires a source of rewards and a fair distribution method; he also noted that these changes will affect how value moves through the network.

Discussion on Core Issues of XRPL Native Stake

Current model: fee burning, validator power does not rely on token holding.

Proposal for change: Introduce a native stake reward mechanism

Technical challenges: Need for new sources of rewards and distribution methods.

Design goals: maintain stability, trust, and low-cost transactions.

Case studies: Platforms like Uphold, Flare, and Doppler have established stake-based systems.

XRP Community Reaction and Ecological Impact

Developers and community members have shared their perspectives. Phil Kwok, a builder in the XRPL space, stated that the main question is whether native stake rewards are necessary. He shared that some networks that have performed strongly in the current cycle have deflationary models. He pointed out that a new reward system could be built on top of XRP, although this is different from native rewards.

The comments reflect a broader conversation about how incentive models shape participation. As XRPL gains new programmability features, developers are questioning how the network can support new use cases without altering the trust foundation that has existed for over a decade. The discussion is expected to continue as developers explore how XRPL can adapt to new markets and products while maintaining its original design goals.

XRP Market Environment and Competitive Positioning

These developments in the XRP ecosystem are occurring during a broader market transformation period. The launch of the first XRP spot ETF represents an important milestone in institutional adoption, providing traditional investors with regulated exposure to XRP. At the same time, the progress of XRPL in the asset tokenization field has made it a more direct competitor to Ethereum and other smart contract platforms.

From a competitive landscape perspective, most major blockchain networks have adopted some form of stake mechanism to secure the network and distribute rewards. The unique no-stake model of XRPL has been a differentiating feature, but it has also raised questions about long-term sustainability and participant incentives. As the network expands into more complex use cases, balancing traditional advantages with new feature demands has become a core challenge.

XRPL Technical Challenges and Implementation Path

Introducing native staking to XRPL faces significant technical challenges. First, the source of rewards needs to be determined—whether through an inflation mechanism, transaction fee redirection, or other means. Second, the distribution mechanism must be fair and secure to prevent excessive concentration of wealth and power. Additionally, any changes must be compatible with the existing network architecture to ensure a smooth transition.

Akinyele emphasized that the goal of discussing stake is to understand which parts of the design should remain unchanged as new features emerge. This approach reflects the Ripple team's commitment to network stability and security while acknowledging the necessity of evolution. The implementation path may be phased, starting with testing network experiments and gradually deploying on the mainnet, ensuring full community participation and risk assessment.

XRP Economic Model and Value Flow

The introduction of any native staking system will profoundly impact the economic model and value flow of XRP. The choice between the current deflationary model (through fee burn) and the potential inflationary model (through staking rewards) involves fundamental trade-offs. The deflationary model supports price stability, while the inflationary model may encourage broader participation and network security.

The community is carefully assessing the long-term impacts of different options. Some members advocate for a hybrid approach, using part of the transaction fees for rewards instead of complete destruction. Others suggest activating stake rewards only under specific conditions, such as when network usage reaches a threshold. These discussions demonstrate the XRPL community's mature understanding of the complexities of economic design and their commitment to maintaining the long-term health of the network.

When Ripple executives seriously discuss introducing a staking mechanism on the XRPL, they are actually addressing a deeper proposition: how to avoid becoming a living fossil in the blockchain world while maintaining a decade of stability? The XRP ledger stands at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, and its choices may provide a key reference answer for all established blockchains—evolution does not equal betrayal of the original intention; sometimes the greatest risk is the refusal to change.

FAQ

Does XRPL currently have native staking functionality?

Currently, there is none. XRPL uses a fee burning mechanism, and the voting rights of validators do not rely on token holdings, but Ripple executives are actively exploring the possibility of introducing native stake.

Why is there a discussion about native XRP staking now?

As the XRPL ecosystem is expanding, including the launch of the first XRP spot ETF and new use cases such as asset tokenization, it is necessary to consider how to adjust the incentive model to support network development.

What are the main challenges of introducing native staking?

It is necessary to find suitable sources of rewards and fair distribution methods while maintaining the core values of network stability, trust, and low-cost transactions; these changes will affect the flow of value.

How did the community react to the native stake proposal?

Reactions vary; some developers believe that a reward system can be built on top of XRP rather than changing the core protocol, while others focus on how to balance new features with the original design goals of the network.

How do other platforms achieve similar functionality?

Applications like Uphold, Flare, and Doppler build staking systems on top of XRPL without modifying the core protocol, providing an alternative path reference.