Wo Jake, enthusiast of XRPL-based platform Evernode, busted some toxic myths about XRP Ledger decentralization status
The Default Unique Node List (dUNL) is the most comprehensive list of XRP Ledger nodes. This is taken advantage of by most validators; However, there are two centralized entities behind dUNL. Isn’t this a contradiction?
Why should XRP validators trust dUNL?
Mr. Jake has taken to Twitter to share a thread about the default Unique Node List (dUNL) for XRP Ledger nodes and its role in the network’s architecture.
As he emphasized, in the XRP Ledger, each validator has its own unique node list. The three widely known UNLs are from Ripple, the XRP Ledger Foundation (XRPLF) and Coil.
As of Q4, 2022, the default Unique Node List (dUNL) now consists of Ripple’s and XRPLF’s UNLs. But every validator can either use the dUNL or create a new UNL anytime.
Meanwhile, validators prefer to listen to dUNL because it is a trusted source of consensus created by secure and trustworthy entities with a long-standing history of XRPL support.
Decentralized by design, like Bitcoin and Ethereum
Also, the dUNL is included in default presets available after rippled software installation. This does not affect the actual level of decentralization for XRPL transactions:
XRPL’s consensus protocol is decentralized *by design*. Bitcoin is decentralized *by design*. Same goes for Ethereum.
Here is why the critics of XRPL decentralization should not address its aspects connected with technical design. Like with every mainstream blockchain protocol, XRPL’s technical decentralization has nothing to do with the “political situation” around the network.
As previously covered by U.Today, RippleX engineers recently revealed a new proposal for a sidechain design to advance the scalability and functionality of the XRP Ledger Network.
