Ripple: Reasons for success / Forecast 2018

Ripple is the 4th cryptocurrency used with a total value of 15 billion euros.

In parallel with the rapid development of Bitcoin, Litecoin and Ethereum, other alternative currencies are beginning to attract attention. One of them is Ripple (XRP), a cryptographic currency known for its links with the banking world.

In a week, Ripple rose from €0.23 to €0.63, an increase of 174%!

What you need to know about Ripple

In addition to being a cryptocurrency, Ripple works as a payment network called RippleNet. The purpose of this platform is to facilitate the transfer of funds, to just about any currency or cryptocurrency in the world in 4 seconds. Ripple works with banks and financial institutions to become the most widely used cryptocurrency and to offer a fast and inexpensive way to transfer funds globally.

For example, if you want to send $100 to your friend in France, you can exchange this $100 for the same value in Ripple, which your friend will convert into euros.

Why the sudden appreciation of Ripple?

The increase in the Bitcoin's activity, and the launch of futures contracts on the Chicago Stock Exchange on December 10, have also increased the activity of the cryptocurrency world in general. As 4th cryptocurrency, Ripple has benefited from these repercussions.

There is also the fact that as Bitcoin effervescence calm down, more and more people are trading in Ripple, which seems to be a more stable asset.

The markets see Ripple as a very stable digital asset, so they're not afraid to keep capital in Ripple when they lose interest in other assets. If someone wants to get out of Bitcoin, but doesn't necessarily want to go back to "real" currencies, he or she can turn to this currency" explains Miguel Vias, XRP Market Manager at Ripple, in an interview in Coindesk.

This is particularly true now that trading on the Bitcoin is slowing down, and exchange fees are skyrocketing: Ripple and its high transaction speed will become increasingly attractive.

Partnership with AMEX

Unlike many crypto, whose objective is to do without traditional financial and banking institutions, Ripple seeks to use these new technologies to optimize the flow of money.

To that end, Ripple recently announced a partnership with American Express to "solve liquidity problems through instant blockchain payments".

American Express has become accustomed to working with the latest technologies available" says Marc Gordon, IT Director at AMEX. "This collaboration with Ripple and Santander is a new step in our journey to the blockchain, changing the way we send money around the globe."

Forecast 2018

It is not impossible that new partnerships will be announced in the coming weeks (Amazon, Uber, New Banking institutions) as the Ripple technology is so promising and solid.
We could see the Ripple's price rise very soon towards $1.3 and reach $2 within 4 to 6 months. This would be a doubling or tripling of the MarketCap, which is quite probable and realistic.