XRP Ledger Could Add Native Staking, Ripple CTO David Schwartz Proposes Transformative Model

COINOTAG News, citing thestreet, reports that Ripple’s CTO David Schwartz—one of the XRP Ledger’s founding architects—has proposed a novel staking model that could redefine the network. The idea surfaced after a detailed X thread by Ripple’s Senior Engineering Director J. Ayo Akinyele.

Today, the XRP Ledger uses a Proof-of-Association (PoA) consensus, with validators confirming XRP transactions in about 3-5 seconds. By contrast, major PoS networks such as Ethereum and Solana require asset locking to participate and earn rewards. Akinyele highlights XRP’s move toward tokenized settlements and real-time liquidity.

The launch of the first US physically-backed XRP ETF has ushered in a new phase, prompting Schwartz and Akinyele to explore native staking on the XRP Ledger. No timeline was released, but the discussion underscores potential shifts in governance, security, and market liquidity.