I still don't understand XRP. All nodes are controlled by ripple labs. Ripple labs can change the protocol when ever they want. They could block transactions, create new XRP, or even steal directly from your wallet. With this setup why does ripple even bother making it a blockchain? it could be easier and faster to have a centralized database with address and XRP value entries. The whole point of a blockchain is to have a consensus mechanism for a decentralized network but XRP is centralized. Ripple controls consensus.