Why is there this mysterious missing genesis ledger? In Bitcoin the creator disappeared, but it's no matter because we have and can verify the genesis block. With Ripple it's backwards, we have the creators but the verifiable origin of Ripple amount is a secret.
Validation is handled via
consensus. Consensus would be required for any ledger changes that modified the amount of XRP. It does not work like Bitcoin.
Modifying the ledger to alter the total number of XRP or their distribution requires Validator consensus.
If you do not believe in the value of the consensus process, then Ripple is not for you. Validation
is a current weak point---given the small number of active and widely trusted Validators---and another possible reason why Ripple may not be ready for you. I do, however, personally believe in the fundamentals of the consensus system.