Recently, a tweet from David Schwartz, the chief technology officer (CTO) at Ripple, sparked a debate about the decentralization of XRP and Ripple’s influence over it.
Schwartz’s tweet was a response to a user’s comment about Ripple’s large holdings of XRP. The user suggested that Ripple’s significant ownership could potentially allow it to manipulate the price of XRP, thereby making the system less decentralized.
What Decentralization Really Means
Schwartz countered this argument by stating that Ripple’s ownership of XRP does not give it control over the ledger or its governance. He further challenged critics to explain how Ripple could use its supposed control to cause harm, suggesting that it simply cannot be done.
Decentralization is a key value proposition of cryptocurrencies. It refers to the distribution of authority, control, and influence across a network, rather than being concentrated in a single central authority. This decentralization is achieved through the use of blockchain technology, which allows for the creation and management of digital assets in a distributed and transparent manner.
The Role of Ripple in XRP
In the case of XRP, the digital asset operates on the XRP Ledger. The ledger is maintained by a network of validating nodes that come to an agreement on the order and validity of XRP transactions.
Ripple is a digital payment protocol company that also holds a significant amount of XRP. However, as Schwartz pointed out, this does not equate to control over the XRP Ledger. Ripple purportedly does not have the power to alter the ledger or dictate its governance.
Why Ripple’s XRP Holdings Do Not Confer Control
Furthermore, Ripple’s XRP holdings are primarily locked in a series of escrows, which are released on a monthly basis. This system is designed to ensure a steady supply of XRP in the market and to prevent any one party, including Ripple, from flooding the market or manipulating the price.
One argument against Ripple holding a significant amount of XRP is that Ripple could manipulate the price of this asset with its reserves. Still, this problem is alleviated by the lock mechanism meaning that by damaging XRP, Ripple would be also damaging its own balance sheet.
