XRP Ledger Decentralization Debate Ignites Amid Centralization Claims

A recent exchange between cryptocurrency executive Justin Bons and XRP supporters has reignited debate over decentralization in blockchain networks.

Bons, founder and CIO of Cyber Capital, urged users to avoid blockchains that incorporate permissioned elements, arguing that this compromises their decentralized nature. He specifically targeted the Unique Node List (UNL) mechanism on the XRP Ledger, suggesting it gives Ripple 'absolute power and control' over network consensus.

David Schwartz, former CTO of Ripple, has pushed back against these claims, describing them as 'objectively nonsensical'. He compared the allegations to saying a miner with majority hash power on Bitcoin could create new BTC out of thin air. According to Schwartz, influence does not equal control, and validators cannot override protocol rules without consensus.