Popular DeFi platform Axelar Network reportedly plans to expand support for XRP by introducing the token as a staking asset for validators in its ecosystem.
Eri, a well-known figure in the community, brought this development to you. A post about X attracted the attention of XRP holders. she said: Axelar is considering allowing validators to stake XRP as part of its network security framework.
Eri made this disclosure shortly after an X Space event titled CommonPrefix XRP that featured prominent community voices including XRPL validator Vet and Common Prefix CEO Dionysis Zindros. After the discussion, Eri revealed that Axelar intends to deepen XRP integration by enabling XRP staking.
This initiative will allow validators to stake XRP to secure the Axelar network and earn rewards in return. Although Axelar has yet to make a formal announcement, Eri suggested that the move is in line with the project's broader efforts to “double down” on XRP.
Pre-support for XRP
In particular, Axelar is already well known in the XRP community. Earlier this year, the project joined other platforms exploring XRP-based DeFi use cases on the XRP Ledger (XRPL).
As a result, we partnered with Midas to launch the liquid staking token mXRP. This product allows users to exchange their XRP for mXRP and access earning opportunities that earn up to 10% APY.
Now, as Eri hinted, Axelar is preparing to take XRP support a step further by officially adding the token as a staking asset for validators across the network. Meanwhile, Eli also revealed that the Axelar team plans to introduce Solana (SOL) to the ecosystem as early as Q1 2026.
XRP staking and efforts to increase yield
It is widely known that the underlying blockchain of XRP, the XRP Ledger (XRPL), does not support native staking. As a result, XRP is lagging behind other established tokens in the DeFi environment.
In response, the community began exploring ways to bring native staking to XRPL. Ripple's development arm, RippleX, was recently featured in a new discussion about the idea last month.
While these conversations continue, other networks are already stepping in to fill the gap. For example, Flare Networks rolled out low-risk staking opportunities for XRP holders earlier this year.
Additionally, Cardano founder Charles Hoskinson plans to offer high-yield opportunities to XRP community members. He recently suggested that there is $100 billion of untapped DeFi opportunity in the XRP ecosystem and pledged to accelerate efforts to bring this XRP-focused DeFi initiative to market next year.
Meanwhile, Ripple CTO David Schwartz expressed support for XRP's expanding DeFi environment. Earlier this month, he endorsed Hex Trust's newly launched XRP DeFi product, describing the product built around the wrapped XRP token (wXRP) as a positive development for the ecosystem.
