Yes, they are permissioned based blockchain network but still decentralization can be achieved to some extent by adding dynamic validators as they are working hard on diversification of validators by identity, location, hardware and software, in an effort to avoid the risk of a single point of failure. Even if Ripple never achieve its goal of becoming fully decentralize but thinking that without decentralization XRP holds no value is wrong and unrealistic. I think next year we’ll see significant gains in XRP as it is marketed as bank friendly blockchain.