[Ripple CTO Explores Adding Native Staking Functionality to XRP Ledger] Ripple Chief Technology Officer David Schwartz has proposed a new model to explore the possibility of adding native staking functionality to the XRP Ledger. This discussion originated from a tweet posted on platform X by Ripple Senior Director of Engineering J. Ayo Akinyele, which examined the potential impact of staking functionality on the XRP Ledger. Launched in 2012, the XRP Ledger utilizes a Proof-of-Association consensus mechanism, differing from the Proof-of-Stake mechanisms used by Ethereum and Solana. Akinyele pointed out that with the launch of the first U.S. spot XRP ETF, the XRP ecosystem has entered a new phase, driving research into native staking functionality.