Ripple (XRP)

Ripple (XRP) promises to revolutionize the global economy by providing the most efficient cross-border payments network the world has ever seen. In it’s quest to usurp Bitcoin’s reign and bring fast and affordable payments to people across the planet, XRP has been lauded as both a game-changer and a liability whose legal classification influences crypto adoption worldwide.

Overview

Founded in 2012 by Chris Larsen and Jed McCaleb, Ripple is multifaceted cryptocurrency ecosystem that challenges the limitations of traditional payments networks. Essentially, XRP aims to do for money what the internet did for information, making it accessible, fast, and borderless.

From its revolutionary approach to cross-border payments to its tumultuous relationship with regulatory bodies, Ripple is a force to be reckoned with. While the network provides near-instant transactions that cost less than a penny, XRP is best known for its historic legal battle with the U.S. SEC (Securities and Exchanges Commission).

What Makes Ripple So Important?

Whether or not you’re an XRP supporter, Ripple wields significant importance in the crypto market. What is it about Ripple that has attracted the attention of some of the world’s largest banking firms and made it one of the most hotly-discussed altcoins in the crypto space?

  • Revolutionary Payment Network – Ripple’s payment protocol is designed to facilitate rapid, low-cost cross-border transactions. Through the XRP cryptocurrency, Ripple Labs and CEO Brad Garlinghouse aim to create a world where sending money across continents is as easy and inexpensive as sending an email.
  • The XRP Ledger – Ripple’s blockchain, the XRPL, is a powerful and highly scalable network. Capable of settling payments in under 5 seconds and processing over 3,000 transactions per second, the XRP Ledger was a marvel of blockchain technology at the time of its creation.
  • Regulatory Drama – The SEC vs Ripple lawsuit is one of the most iconic legal battles in crypto history. Led by Gary Gensler, the SEC claims that Ripple Labs is guilty of selling unregistered securities to investors. The final outcome of this legal drama is expected to set a precedent for how digital assets and cryptocurrencies are regulated in the U.S. for years to come.
  • Passionate Community – XRP is one of the largest cryptocurrencies in the market, no doubt thanks to the unwavering support of a loyal community of XRP investors.

Far from being a mere cryptocurrency, Ripple stands at the crossroads of law, technology, and social change.