Ripple On the Verge of Burning All XRP Held in Escrow Wallets Say Former Ripple Director

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Former Ripple Director Matt Hamilton dropped a bombshell, stating that Ripple might have the power to burn all the XRP tokens locked away in its escrow wallets. This revelation injects a fresh dose of complexity into Ripple’s ongoing legal tussle with the SEC.

Ripple’s Hidden Power to Burn

Hamilton, a former Ripple Principal Developer Advocate, shared his insights on the ongoing litigation. He suggested that Ripple, with its technical prowess, could make its future escrow funds practically untouchable by disabling the master key for the accounts set to receive the escrowed tokens. 

This concept of “burning” XRP introduces a novel dynamic, making the tokens essentially unusable, even to Ripple itself.

Legal Ramifications

The concept of burning XRP tokens took center stage following the SEC’s request to destroy LBRY Credits (LBC) tokens in a recent lawsuit. This sparked a debate within the XRP community, questioning whether Ripple could be compelled to burn the XRP in its escrow. 

Meanwhile, Ripple’s CTO, David Schwartz, entered the discussion, noting that while neither the court nor the SEC may have direct authority, consensus among XRPL validators could enforce such action.

Pro-XRP lawyer Bill Morgan added insights, emphasizing that a court order wouldn’t automatically bind XRPL validators, requiring a legal hearing for enforcement. This aligns with Ripple CEO Brad Garlinghouse’s prior statement in April 2021, suggesting the consideration of burning XRP tokens in specific scenarios for the benefit of the broader XRP ecosystem.

As Ripple navigates legal complexities, the potential decision to burn XRP tokens introduces a new dimension to its ongoing saga.