Ripple was founded in 2012 to enable secure, instantly, and nearly free global transactions of any size with no chargebacks. The distributed open-source protocol supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodity or any other unit of value such as frequent flier miles or mobile minutes.
Released in 2012, Ripple is built upon a distributed open-source protocol and supports tokens representing fiat currency, cryptocurrency, commodity or any other unit of value such as frequent flier miles or mobile minutes.
Ripple enables secure, instantly and nearly free global transactions of any size with no chargebacks. The ledger employs the native cryptocurrency known as XRP.
Real-time tracking
One of Ripple’s most appealing features is its real-time transaction tracking. The distributed network gives users unprecedented transparency into their money, meaning you can see exactly where your funds are, who they’re with, and what they’re being used for in near real-time.
Other blockchain solutions lack one or more of these key components; Bitcoin isn’t a viable currency due to its 10 minute block time and relatively high fees, while smart contracts enable a high level of transaction security but limit what information can be shared publicly.
Instant settlement
Traditional money transfer systems, such as banks and other financial institutions, require funds to be settled through multiple steps. This time-consuming process often results in delays and can also be costly because intermediaries have to be paid.
By contrast, blockchain transactions are settled instantly, which means you get your money faster. Banks or other financial institutions can’t block a blockchain transaction or make additional charges if you want to send someone money internationally.
In fact, with certain providers (such as Ripple), there are no fees, although that is likely to change as more people start using their services.
Cost-saving
No matter how many hacks make headlines, security is never far from our minds regarding money. While we all want to be in control of our own finances, in reality, that’s easier said than done. Financial institutions are infamous for their cumbersome logins and additional security hoops, so why not use a different system altogether?
With less to hack, fewer security protocols and no banks involved (Ripple is entirely peer-to-peer), transactions are fast and secure. You can get on with your life without constantly worrying about fraud or identity theft.
Transaction fees are also dramatically lower than conventional methods: banks may charge over 4% per transaction, while Ripple carries a fee of only 0.0001 XRP per transfer, that’s one-millionth of one penny.
Security
Each transaction on Ripple is cryptographically secured using a digital signature – just like a traditional bank transfer. Unlike banks, which are often closed on weekends and holidays, and can charge hefty fees, payments made using XRP settle within three to five seconds and cost as little as one ten-thousandth of a cent.
In addition, by joining multiple transactions together into what’s known as a payment channel, Ripple allows you to make potentially unlimited transfers without paying blockchain mining fees repeatedly.
And while traditional money transfer systems such as SWIFT take several days or even weeks to complete international transfers, global payments made via XRP settle within minutes with little or no fees.
Transparency
The bitcoin blockchain is publicly viewable by all, so if customers know your wallet address, they can see how many bitcoins you have in your account. Conversely, Ripple businesses know exactly who their customers are and where their money is coming from. This is important when it comes to AML compliance.
Plus, there’s no need to trade bitcoin through an exchange before spending or receiving it because XRP can be sent directly between any two parties anywhere in the world with minimal effort and extremely low transaction fees. These properties make Ripple a very desirable way to transfer funds across international borders.
A long track record
Ripple has a long track record in real-world money transfers and is working with large financial institutions, payment providers, banks and more. Furthermore, because it’s open-source and decentralized, it’s interoperable with nearly any currency or asset. This allows businesses to buy XRP with credit cards and other existing payment methods.
Low risk
As with most cryptocurrencies, Ripple is still quite new. It was founded in 2012, and it’s taken a little while to build momentum. But recently, its value has skyrocketed; in 2017 alone, it grew by nearly 30,000%. That’s not just incredible-it’s also sustainable because Ripple is built upon a strong foundation.
The reason why you should use it? Because it could replace international money transfers or conventional banking entirely within a matter of years. Here are seven reasons why you should use XRP instead of your current payment methods