## XRP: The Bridge Currency in Global Payments
$XRP stands apart in the crypto landscape, primarily serving as a **real-time settlement asset** for cross-border transactions. Developed by Ripple Labs, it powers the **XRP Ledger (XRPL)**, a decentralized blockchain optimized for speed (3-5 sec transactions) and low cost ($0.0002 per tx).
Unlike Bitcoin’s store-of-value model, XRP focuses on **institutional liquidity**. Banks and payment providers use it as a bridge currency to avoid pre-funded nostro accounts, slashing costs and settlement times.
**Key Comparison: XRP vs. BTC**
- **Purpose:** XRP facilitates enterprise payments; BTC is digital gold.
- **Tech:** XRPL handles 1,500 TPS; Bitcoin handles ~7 TPS.
- **Supply:** XRP’s 100 billion tokens are fully minted; BTC has a 21 million cap.
**Risks & Outlook:**
Regulatory uncertainty remains (SEC lawsuit pending), yet XRP’s niche in frictionless value transfer gives it unique utility. Its success hinges on broader adoption by financial institutions.
*Not financial advice. Cryptocurrencies carry high volatility and regulatory risk.*
