What is Ripple (XRP)? The Complete Guide to the Global Payment Network

Ripple – The World's First Open Payment Network

👉 Discover XRP's latest developments

Introduction to Ripple and XRP

1. Ripple is a private company developing a payment and exchange network (RippleNet) atop a distributed ledger database (XRP Ledger).
2. XRP Ledger (XRPL) is an open-source decentralized ledger powered by peer-to-peer servers.
3. XRP is XRPL’s native digital asset, functioning as a bridge currency for seamless cross-border payments.
4. Fixed Supply: Capped at 100 billion XRP, with transaction fees permanently destroyed to reduce available supply over time.
5. Launched in 2012, XRPL is maintained by a global community, with Ripple as a key contributor holding escrowed XRP reserves.

Key Metrics of Ripple (XRP)

| Metric | Value |
|-------------------------|---------------------------|
| Current Price | $0.4451 |
| Market Cap | $20,232,269,418.64 |
| Circulating Supply | 45,404,028,640 XRP |
| Total Supply | 99,990,831,162 XRP |
| Max Supply | 100,000,000,000 XRP |

How Ripple Works

RippleNet

• Connects banks, payment providers, and exchanges via blockchain technology.
• Enables real-time, low-cost international transactions (3-5 seconds settlement).

XRP Ledger (XRPL)

• Decentralized: Operates without central intermediaries.
• Consensus Mechanism: Uses a unique protocol for validation (not mining).
• Sustainability: Low energy consumption vs. proof-of-work blockchains.

Ripple’s Advantages

✅ Speed: 3-5 second transactions.
✅ Scalability: 1,500+ TPS capacity.
✅ Transparency: Public ledger with real-time stats.
✅ Eco-Friendly: Minimal carbon footprint.

👉 Explore XRP’s use cases

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Is XRP a good investment?

A1: XRP serves utility in cross-border payments, but its value depends on adoption and regulatory clarity.

Q2: How is XRP different from Bitcoin?

A2: XRP is faster, cheaper, and designed for institutional payments, while Bitcoin focuses on store-of-value.

Q3: Who controls the XRP Ledger?

A3: XRPL is decentralized, maintained by independent validators, including Ripple.

Community & Resources

• Twitter: @Ripple
• GitHub: Ripple Labs

Note: All external links except OKX have been removed as per guidelines.