How to fork XRP Ledger if Ripple acts maliciously

Acts maliciously token holders could, theoretically, fork the XRP Ledger.

Here's how to actually do it and why it ultimately raises concerns around Ripple's control over XRP.How to fork XRP Ledger.

In a technical discussion last week, Ripple CTO David Schwartz revealed it's relatively easy to fork XRP Ledger.

The ability to fork the XRP Ledger is critical because it's one of the primary arguments David Schwartz and others backing XRP use to defend its decentralization.

Since the nodes with the largest number of UNL connections have the greatest influence inside the network, that means Ripple has substantial control over XRP Ledger by controlling the default list.

Ripple CTO David Schwartz uses the technical ability for people to fork XRP Ledger as a reason why it's decentralized.

Finally, in terms of the XRP Ledger network, Ripple controls the default node list.

If the nodes with the largest number of UNL connections has the greatest influence on the network then by extension Ripple has the greatest influence on XRP Ledger.

"The XRP Ledger network is opt-in. Each participant directly or indirectly chooses its UNL. Should Ripple stop operating or should Ripple act maliciously, participants could change their UNLs to continue using the XRP Ledger."

For the time being, the only meaningful thing an XRP holder can do to compel Ripple to make changes is by hitting them in the pocket-book by selling their XRP. That said, one small thing Ripple could do is eliminate the default UNL and allow participants to select nodes on their own.