Uphold has officially confirmed it is exploring new yield opportunities for XRP, including potential staking options through Flare Network.
The announcement, made on X (formerly Twitter) on Friday, signals a growing push to bring XRP into the world of decentralized finance (DeFi) and smart contracts.
“Welcome to the world of smart contracts and DeFi opportunities, XRP Army,” the company wrote, teasing a beta launch soon.
This move would mark a significant step forward for XRP holders, many of whom have long been eager to see the token integrated into the DeFi economy, especially after Ripple’s legal hurdles began to ease and XRP regained traction in the market.
Why XRP Staking Flare Network?
Uphold’s staking trial is being conducted via Flare Network, an EVM-compatible Layer 1 blockchain built to support interoperability across multiple blockchains. Flare allows smart contract functionality for assets like XRP that don’t natively support it.
Flare recently gained traction with the launch of USDT0, an omnichain version of Tether’s stablecoin (USDT), helping to boost its total value locked (TVL) and draw new interest from developers and investors alike.
By leveraging Flare’s capabilities, Uphold aims to unlock staking rewards and yield opportunities for XRP holders without compromising security or accessibility.
Staking in the U.S. Makes a Comeback
Uphold’s XRP staking exploration comes on the heels of its broader staking relaunch for U.S. customers. After a pause due to regulatory uncertainties, Uphold reinstated staking in March 2025 across 19 digital assets, including Ethereum, Solana, and NEAR.
CEO Simon McLoughlin emphasized the importance of staking for blockchain governance and user participation, stating: “Staking is a vital part of blockchain governance and the on-chain economy. Users should absolutely be able to support this activity and earn from that support.”
Vault Wallet and the XRP Ecosystem
In late 2023, Uphold also launched Vault, its self-custody wallet starting with XRP support. Vault is designed to empower users with full control over their digital assets, combining security with ease of use.
With XRP staking and DeFi support now on the horizon, Vault could become a central tool for active XRP holders looking to engage in the ecosystem more deeply.
U.S. Debit Card Relaunch and Direct Deposit Rewards
In addition to staking, Uphold is relaunching its crypto debit card in the U.S. The card, already available in the UK, allows users to spend digital assets directly from their wallets, offering both physical and virtual formats.
Moreover, Uphold has revealed plans to introduce direct deposit features with rewards in the U.S., further deepening its financial offerings in a country that appears to be warming up to crypto under President Donald Trump’s administration.
On the whole, if the XRP staking beta proves successful, Uphold may lead the charge in enabling native XRP yield strategies, expanding XRP’s utility beyond just trading and remittances.
It could also help boost institutional and retail interest in XRP, especially as DeFi functionality becomes more accessible through platforms like Flare.
