Ripple considering introducing staking to the XRP Ledger (XRPL)…"Possibility to expand security and utility"

Ripple is reported to be considering adding a native staking feature to the XRP Ledger (XRPL).

On the 20th (local time), Decrypt reported that J. Ayo Akinyele, head of RippleX engineering, wrote on a blog that "when considering how XRP's utility could expand with new features, the need for staking naturally arises." He explained, "Staking can encourage long-term participation and provide rewards to participants who help maintain consensus, which could strengthen network security."

Akinyele said that implementing staking on the XRP Ledger would require redesigning core structures such as reward sources and distribution methods. Currently, the XRPL reduces supply by burning transaction fees.

David Schwartz, Ripple's chief technology officer (CTO), also presented two conceptual models. The first is a dual-layer structure that places an 'internal validator set' based on staking. The external layer would select an internal validator set of about 16 people based on stakes, and the internal layer would perform validation including slashing (penalty for violations). The external layer, handled by existing validators, would oversee network amendments, fees, and so on.

The second would maintain the existing consensus structure but use transaction fees for zero-knowledge (ZK) verification instead of burning them. Zero-knowledge proofs are cryptographic techniques that can verify authenticity without revealing sensitive information.

However, CTO Schwartz assessed that both models are "technically promising but not realistic for now." He judged that the design difficulty and risks are high, making short-term adoption difficult.

The outlet reported that internal discussions continue over whether staking designs can increase network security and utility without undermining the consensus structure.