Ripple(XRP) is the world's first open payment network, its goal is to build a decentralized currency system that allows anyone to create their own currency.

XRP is a cryptocurrency that was created by Ripple Labs Inc., a technology company specializing in the development and integration of payment and real-time gross settlement systems. XRP was designed to facilitate faster, more secure cross-border transactions and it operates on an open-source and peer-to-peer decentralized platform that allows for a seamless transfer of money in any form, be it USD, Yen, Litecoin, or Bitcoin.

One of the unique aspects of XRP is that it isn't mined. Instead, Ripple Labs issued 100 billion XRP at the coin's inception, with a portion held by the company and the rest distributed or sold to users and investors. Also, unlike Bitcoin which uses a decentralized system of miners competing to solve complex algorithms, XRP transactions are validated by a network of independent servers comparing transaction records. This consensus algorithm allows for transactions to be settled in about 3-5 seconds.

On 13 July 2023, Ripple scored a partial victory in its fight with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission in a court ruling. The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York held that the sale of Ripple’s token XRP did not fully constitute an “illegal securities offering.” Although this ruling is still not the final verdict, at least BTC, ETH or the 67 other tokens considered to be securities are also expected to regain legal status.

Above are only for introduction, not intended as investment advice.