- Researcher Justin Bons accused Ripple of running a trust-based, not incentive-based system.
- Bons cited Ripple’s documentation showing only trusted validators on curated Unique Node Lists (UNLs) can influence consensus.
- While critics see this as proof of centralization, XRP supporters argue the model enhances security and efficiency.
Crypto researcher Justin Bons has reignited the XRP centralization debate, claiming that Ripple’s consensus model is “based on trust, not incentives.” In a tweet, Bons stated, “Do not be fooled by XRP’s lies: It is centralized! As it is based on TRUST, not incentives… They deceived the SEC to escape criminal charges & huge fines.”
His remarks come alongside screenshots from Ripple’s official documentation, which he argues expose fundamental flaws in the XRP Ledger’s validator architecture.
Screenshots Highlight Trusted Validators and Limited Autonomy
The images shared by Bons show multiple excerpts from the XRP Ledger documentation. One key passage notes that issuing validation messages “does not automatically give your validator a say in the consensus process,” emphasizing that only validators included in a Unique Node List (UNL) are considered trusted.
Also Read: Pundit: “Federal Reserve Research Already Confirmed XRP Role in Secure Payment,” Here’s How
Do not be fooled by XRP’s lies: It is centralized! ⚠️
As it is based on TRUST, not incentives: They decieved the SEC to escape criminal charges & huge fines
However, they cannot fool us; as we know that crypto is meant to be TRUSTLESS
Their own docs even confirm the fraud! 💀 pic.twitter.com/XD7y2Rdm00
— Justin Bons (@Justin_Bons) October 21, 2025
This means consensus depends on which nodes are chosen to be trusted, an aspect Bons claims reflects centralization. Another cited section warns, “Validators should not be accessible to the public,” implying that most validation occurs behind closed, permissioned setups.
The documentation further explains that “a good validator has a clearly identified owner” and that “validator list operators may interview candidates” before inclusion, signaling a curated, gatekept process rather than open participation.
UNL Overlap Raises Further Concerns
Bons also highlighted the XRP Ledger’s requirement for high overlap between validators’ UNLs to prevent network forks. According to Ripple’s documentation, up to 90% overlap may be required in worst-case scenarios to avoid consensus divergence.
Critics like Bons argue that this dependency constrains true decentralization, as it relies on alignment and control from centralized list publishers such as Ripple or the XRP Ledger Foundation.
Ripple Supporters Defend the Model
While Bons accuses Ripple of deception, XRP advocates maintain that the network’s design prioritizes efficiency, security, and regulatory compliance.
They argue that the UNL-based system prevents Sybil attacks and ensures trust in validator performance, without compromising the open-source nature of the ledger. Still, Bons’s tweet adds fresh fuel to a long-standing dispute over whether XRP truly embodies the decentralized ethos of blockchain technology.
Also Read: Pundit Says He Is More Bullish on XRP Now Despite Stagnant Price, Here’s Why
