'Not a Valid Argument': Ex-Ripple CTO Shuts Down Viral XRP Rumors Once and for All
Analysis
Price Impact
LowThe clarification from the ex-ripple cto dispels recurrent fud regarding xrp ledger's decentralization. while positive for sentiment by refuting common criticisms, it does not introduce new market-moving information or a significant catalyst for immediate price action.
Trustworthiness
HighThe statement comes directly from david schwartz, a co-architect of the xrp ledger and former cto of ripple, making his technical explanation highly authoritative and credible.
Price Direction
NeutralThe news helps to neutralize potential bearish pressure stemming from centralization concerns. by reinforcing the technical design that limits validator power and promotes coordination, it prevents negative sentiment from gaining traction, but it's not a strong bullish driver.
Time Effect
LongAddressing fundamental criticisms about network decentralization has long-term implications for investor confidence, regulatory perception, and overall network reputation, even if immediate price effects are minimal. it solidifies the network's foundational understanding.
Original Article:
Article Content:
Cover image via U.Today Read U.TODAY on Google News The XRP decentralization debate heated up again, as it does once in a while, after Ethereum supporters claimed the XRPL network is centralized because it runs on 134 permissioned validators. Advertisement To support the argument, a screenshot from XRPL.org was included, and this one suggests that XRP's validator structure is "proof of control." Of course, the claim got the XRP community riled up, with people pointing out that Ripple and XRP are different - and that validator count alone is not the same as centralization. HOT Stories Turkish Banking Giant Extends Ripple Partnership U.Today Crypto Review: XRP Prints Double Bottom, Shiba Inu (SHIB) Uptrend Available, Bitcoin (BTC) 'Now or Never' Price Moment U.Today Crypto Digest: Ripple Snatches Major Partnership in $5 Trillion Pool, XRP Defies Death Sentence, Shiba Inu Avoids BTC Selling Pressure Powerful Pro-Bitcoin BlackRock Exec Could Become Next Fed Chair This is not a valid argument. https://t.co/10BEqR29WD Advertisement — David 'JoelKatz' Schwartz (@JoelKatz) January 22, 2026 But the main response came from David Schwartz , former CTO of Ripple and co-architect of the XRP Ledger. Still, instead of drafting a new reply, he just reposted his explanation from September 2023, calling the new claims invalid. It is all about how validators on XRPL do not really have the power that a lot of people think they do. Every node on the network can check transactions, rules and the ledger state on its own. Validators do not approve or reject individual transactions the way miners or stakers do on other chains. Coordination, not centralization The only thing validators decide is which of two conflicting but valid transactions to include - basically, solving the double-spend problem. They cannot force changes or push through upgrades. Advertisement Even new features on XRPL need broad support from nodes, not just validators. You Might Also Like Fri, 01/23/2026 - 05:33 Turkish Banking Giant Extends Ripple Partnership By Alex Dovbnya Thus, just because validators are permissioned does not mean they control the network. If anything, XRPL's design limits their influence. The bottom line is that it is not governance for XRP; it iscoordination, and no one gets to override the system’s rules. #XRP News #XRP #Ripple News