XRP’s Decentralization Confirmed: Legal and Technical Developments Challenge Centralization Claims

The long-standing debate over XRP's centralization is reaching a resolution as U.S. cryptocurrency regulations gain clarity. Critics have argued that Ripple's 40% ownership of XRP supply implies control, but recent legal and technical developments challenge this view. Prominent crypto attorney John E. Deaton emphasized the network's decentralization, noting 75,000 XRP holders across 143 countries. This widespread distribution underscores the decentralized nature of XRP, countering claims of centralization. As regulatory frameworks evolve, XRP's position as a decentralized digital asset is becoming increasingly solidified, paving the way for broader adoption and trust in the cryptocurrency market.

Ripple Doesn’t Control XRP? John Deaton Says It’s Decentralized

The long-standing debate over XRP's centralization is reaching a resolution as U.S. cryptocurrency regulations gain clarity. Critics have argued that Ripple's 40% ownership of XRP supply implies control, but recent legal and technical developments challenge this view.

Prominent crypto attorney John E. Deaton emphasized the network's decentralization, noting 75,000 XRP holders across 143 countries. "People often conflate the token of the network with the network itself," he stated, clarifying that token ownership doesn't equate to protocol control.

The SEC's 2020 lawsuit against Ripple, alleging XRP was an unregistered security, brought the centralization debate to the forefront. The case concluded favorably for Ripple on May 8, 2025, with a reduced penalty, further cementing XRP's status as a decentralized asset.

Ripple and AEON Partner to Bring XRP and RLUSD to 20 Million Merchants

Ripple has forged a strategic partnership with Web3 payments platform AEON to integrate XRP and its stablecoin RLUSD into a global merchant network spanning 20 million outlets. The collaboration unlocks crypto payments at major brands including UNIQLO, McDonald's, and Starbucks, with initial rollout targeting Southeast Asian markets through AEON Pay's Telegram Mini App and supported wallets.

The deal represents a significant milestone for Ripple's ecosystem, providing real-world utility for RLUSD at scale. AEON's press release emphasizes the stablecoin's compliance credentials and liquidity advantages for institutional adoption. Market observers note the partnership could accelerate Ripple's penetration in emerging markets, with expansion plans already outlined for Africa and Latin America.

XRP community members have reacted enthusiastically to the news, with prominent commentator WrathofKahneman highlighting the transaction volume potential. The merchant integration dwarfs previous crypto payment initiatives, positioning Ripple as a serious contender in the global payments arena.

XRP Ledger Liquidity Drain Sparks Speculation of Price Breakout

XRP is capturing market attention as a staggering $15 billion worth of the cryptocurrency was withdrawn from Upbit, South Korea's leading exchange. The transfer, equivalent to approximately 6.8 billion XRP at current prices, suggests institutional accumulation or cold storage migration—a potential precursor to upward momentum.

Market sentiment brightened further after Ripple CTO David Schwartz validated a cryptic post by co-founder Arthur Britto, ending a 14-year silence. The XRP community interpreted this as bullish, coinciding with a 9% price surge. Meanwhile, Dubai's real estate sector deepened ties with XRPL through a partnership with CryptoTradingFund.

ETF speculation continues to fuel whale activity, with analysts noting such large-scale movements typically signal long-term holding strategies. The liquidity drain coincides with renewed institutional interest across crypto markets.

XRP Price Action: Will It Surge Past $2.25 or Fall Back to Support?

XRP is holding above the critical $2.145 support level, signaling potential for continued upward momentum. A break above $2.25 could ignite a rally toward $2.69, reinforcing bullish sentiment. Closing above $2.20 is essential to sustain the current momentum and avoid a pullback.

Analyst CasiTrades highlights the significance of the $2.145 trendline support, noting that a sustained hold above this level could propel XRP higher. Resistance at $2.25 remains a key hurdle—clearing it may open the door to further gains. Egrag Crypto emphasizes the importance of daily closes above $2.20 to maintain bullish structure.

As of press time, XRP trades at $2.19, up 0.37% over the past day. The coin's ability to defend its support zone will determine whether it challenges higher targets or retreats to lower levels.