[SuddsMcDuff]

Any degree of centralization leaves the network open to attack, whether by technical, regulatory, or financial means. Ripple Labs recently got hit with a hefty fine from FinCEN - http://www.coindesk.com/fincen-fines-ripple-labs-700000-bank...

[nickodell]

How would a decentralized method of preventing double-spending have protected them from that fine?

It seems like the only way to protect yourself from this would be to have no money in the first place, or to have no fixed address.