Ripple рассматривает возможность интеграции нативного стейкинга XRP для улучшения функциональности токена Translation: Ripple considers the possibility of integrating native XRP staking to enhance the tokens functionality.

The head of RippleX, Iyo Akinyélé, and Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, have shared a draft concept regarding the implementation of native XRP staking.

The leader of the XRP Ledger (XRPL) development team highlighted that this initiative emerged from contemplating the potential to enhance the utility of the Ripple token through new opportunities.

«This has led David and me to ponder: what if we were to eventually integrate support for native staking on XRPL? How would that look?» Akinyélé wrote.

He noted that the Ripple network was originally crafted for the swift and efficient transfer of on-chain value, which makes its architecture notably different from blockchains based on the Proof-of-Stake (PoS) algorithm.

In Akinyélé’s view, the implementation of staking requires:

Addressing these issues, he believes, would necessitate a fundamental restructuring of the XRPL.

Currently, transaction fees within the network are burned to maintain the deflation of the token’s supply. A pool to incentivize stakers could potentially be created from new fees related to programming features, Akinyélé suggested.

«The distribution also requires careful design. Staking alters the interaction between validators and participants by introducing financial incentives that can enhance engagement but might also subtly shift governance dynamics,» the developer added.

One of the XRPL validators compared PoS staking to a lottery determining the next block producer. He expressed skepticism that a Proof-of-Association algorithm would fit into such processes. XRPL node operators work without financial incentives, do not compete for block inclusion in the network, and there is no slashing mechanism—penalties for misconduct—in the blockchain.

«There are two ideas. Both are technically admirable, yet they are unlikely to be realized in practice, at least in the near future,» Schwartz responded.

One option he mentioned is switching to a two-tier consensus model, where only a core group of 16 validators, selected by an external layer, would utilize staking/slashing.

Another approach would be to maintain the existing consensus while using transaction fees to fund zero-knowledge proofs of correct execution by smart contract nodes. This would relieve nodes from having to perform complex, energy-intensive calculations.

Schwartz noted that the implementation of this initiative, alongside the introduction of smart contracts, aims to enhance Ripple’s distributed ledger capabilities in the DeFi space.

«XRPL was created in 2012. Since then, the blockchain landscape has changed dramatically,» he emphasized.

In October, Schwartz mentioned that he would be stepping down from his role as CTO by the end of the year.

Ripple’s CEO, Brad Garlinghouse, also urged the community to share ideas regarding the potential future of the network in decentralized finance and the integration of other applications for XRP.

It is worth recalling that Matthew Sigel, head of digital asset research at VanEck, stated that XRP does not yield returns for token holders, and the XRPL lacks real-world use cases.