Ripple eyes staking as new ETF piques investor interest

Ripple’s XRP Ledger is reportedly making a significant strategic shift as it responds to growing community calls for native staking capabilities. This development comes on the heels of the recent launch of the Canary Capital ETF, which has already demonstrated impressive trading volumes on its first day. The introduction of these two elements suggests that XRP is expanding its focus beyond traditional payment solutions and is moving towards broader investment applications, as noted by industry experts.

Ripple's XRP Ledger undergoes strategic shift towards staking capabilities

The XRP Ledger community has been actively discussing the implementation of native staking features. This shift would align the XRP platform more closely with decentralized finance (DeFi) protocols that are currently thriving on various other blockchain networks. However, Ripple has yet to provide an official statement regarding the timeline or the technical specifications for any potential staking implementation on the XRP Ledger.

Canary Capital ETF launch generates significant trading volume and interest

The Canary Capital ETF is one of the first exchange-traded funds focused on XRP, offering traditional investors regulated access to the digital asset. On its debut, the ETF achieved $58 million in trading volume, slightly outpacing Bitwise’s BSOL ETF, which launched last month with $57 million. This performance places the Canary Capital ETF among the top-performing ETFs of 2025, even amid a shaky cryptocurrency market characterized by a decline in Bitcoin's price and a drop in total market capitalization.

Increased demand for XRP and potential staking aligns with DeFi trends

Despite the overall downturn in the crypto market, trading in the Canary Capital ETF was robust, with $26 million exchanged within the first 30 minutes and over $36 million by mid-morning. The ETF, designated XRPC, is a physical spot fund that holds only XRP, tracking its price through the CME CF XRP-USD Reference Rate. With a 0.50% annual fee, it utilizes Gemini Trust and BitGo Trust for custody services. Canary Capital, based in Tennessee, has a history of launching Bitcoin, Ethereum, and HBAR ETFs and positions this new fund as a convenient means for institutions to access XRP’s utility in cross-border payments without the complexities of managing wallets and custody.

What these developments mean for investors and the broader crypto market

Analysts have noted a rising demand for payment-linked tokens, a trend reflected in the recent success of Canary’s HBAR ETF, which raised $70 million in its first week. As of the latest updates, XRP was trading at approximately $2.10, reflecting a 5.4% decline for the day. These developments not only highlight Ripple's evolving strategy but also indicate a growing interest in XRP as an investment asset, particularly in light of the promising performance of the new ETF.