David Schwartz: "XRP Ledger Avoided Control by Large Capital Thanks to 'This'"

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The XRP Ledger's Negative Unique Node List (UNL) mechanism is once again drawing attention as the reason the XRP network was able to avoid covert control by large capital.

According to U.Today on May 15 (local time), David Schwartz, Ripple's Honorary Chief Technology Officer, explained how the XRP Ledger (XRPL) prevents large corporations from quietly taking over the network. This discussion was triggered when Cardano (ADA) founder Charles Hoskinson praised the XRP Ledger's structure as 'very elegant'.

Schwartz highlighted the core problem that capital can create dominance in cryptocurrency networks. Large corporations can afford expensive equipment and professional engineering organizations, making it highly likely they can operate nodes and validators without interruption. Schwartz explained that if XRP Ledger developers had only pursued technical stability, the network could have quickly fallen under the control of a few large IT corporations.

To prevent this risk, the XRP Ledger adopted a method of attracting a large number of ordinary independent participants from various regions. However, independent participants' servers can suddenly go offline due to internet outages or power failures. To solve this dilemma, Schwartz and his team implemented a Negative Unique Node List mechanism.

This mechanism is designed so that if a small independent participant suddenly goes offline, the remaining servers reach a consensus to temporarily blacklist that participant and continue processing payments. This device reduces network delays caused by waiting for offline participants. Schwartz emphasized that it is an 'amazing detail' that this list cannot be turned into a censorship tool. He stated, 'In reality, however, it is merely a partial exclusion. You can still fully participate in consensus, vote on amendments, vote on fees, and participate in determining transaction order. Only validation is ignored.'

According to Schwartz's explanation, the Negative Unique Node List only stops the technical function of payment confirmation, preventing network slowdowns. The node can still oppose fee changes, oppose inappropriate updates, and continue to influence the future direction of the blockchain. The XRP Ledger limits the risk of corporate takeover through a structure that responds to technical failures while preserving the political rights of small participants.

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