Ripple is less decentralized than BTC and ETH, but that’s not necessarily bad

[JessicaVL]

Grayscale, an institutional crypto asset management company, recently released a report analyzing XRP’s coin history, protocol, price, transaction speed and more. According to the report, the early developers of the XRP Ledger focused on creating a fast protocol that challenged established financial systems. Grayscale found that Ripple is less decentralized than BTC and ETH, although it remains the third largest cryptocurrency by market cap.

What is Ripple?
According to eToro, Ripple is the company behind XRP, RippleNet and the XRP Ledger. Ripple uses open-source technology to beat Bitcoin in speed, and financial institutions and banks in fees. Ripple launched in 2012, and has a market cap of $9,8 Billion at the time of writing.

There are 100 billion XRP in rotation, 49.9 billion of which are in escrow. There is no mining of XRP, since all tokens are premined so that they can be traded with the lowest transaction costs possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmaWDpg4fMU&t=12s

Grayscale Report
Grayscale wrote,

“XRP sought to eliminate high transaction fees and long processing times driven by institutions, and like most digital assets, addresses the double-spending problem, which is when third parties are needed to monitor counterfeited money or forged transactions.
 
Developers integrated features including a consensus algorithm and escrow schedule in lieu of a blockchain protocol and mining rewards, as well as incorporated a suite of commercial financial products. In doing so, XRP has gained momentum amongst both financial institutions and individual users.”

The Grayscale report highlights the decentralized nature of the XRP Ledger, and looks at the way transactions are conducted on the network. However, Grayscale notes that Ripple’s efforts to expand the XRP network, and consequently its ownership of more than half of all XRP, makes the blockchain decidedly less decentralized than many of its competitors, like Bitcoin and Ethereum.

Highlighting two further points, Grayscale said that the XRP and XRP Ledger are less decentralized because of Ripple’s involvement as a driving force behind adoption, the number of XRP that the company and its founders hold, and the fact that there’s a high concentration of the overall XRP supply located in just 100 of its top wallets.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gSGqHqdlc4&t=87s

What does this mean?
The fact that Ripple is less decentralized than BTC and ETH isn’t necessarily a bad thing for investors. Although it goes against the principles of decentralization, Ripple has placed the vast majority of XRP in escrow to reassure investors. Ripple cannot sell all of its holdings at once, which protects investors in the coin. However, Grayscale did say that there is still a risk that “large and/or sustained periodic sales could place pressure on the price of XRP.”

Now’s as good a time as any to get in on XRP. If you don’t want to commit too much to start, why not consider trading on a platform like eToro? The platform allows you to copy professional traders, or earn from accurately predicting the cryptocurrencies movements.

What’s next for Ripple?
So, Ripple is less decentralized than BTC and ETH but that’s not necessarily a bad thing for investors. Ripple remains the third largest coin by market cap, and is actually performing fairly well at the moment. Less decentralization makes for a coin that investors want to trust, and that’s good for the blockchain - whichever way you look at it.

https://nulltx.com/ripple-is-less-decentralized-than-btc-and-eth-but-thats-not-necessarily-a-bad-thing/

[Dickiy]

I admit that Ripple is a fairly well developed coin but I don't agree if Ripple is more decentralized than BTC and ETH, ok don't take BTC but ETH alone as a comparison of its development, ETH has given birth to many decentralized tokens up to now and Ripple did give birth token also but less highlighted by enthusiasts of cryptocurrency

[livingfree]

This actually loled me. 

Ripple being less decentralized or more with the description of these establishments and articles, this will not replace the fact that it's a centralized coin. From the very beginning of the article, if you have understood it correctly, half of the supply is in escrow and they are always boasting the partnerships with the banks.

How it can have a part of decentralization?

[avikz]

Ripple is a company issued cryptocurrency. So "less decentralization" is an understatement. Ripple is not at all decentralized! They are actively working with few banks like Kotak Mahindra, Indusind, Santander etc. And they claim to have around 300 clients from mainstream financial sector. They can't be decentralized and serving Banks at the same time for money transmission activities!

But yes, Ripple is a well developed coin. The company is actually trying their best to partner with real world businesses which can bring revenues to the company. So the future of Ripple is good and I have no doubt about it! But it's just not decentralized!

[Nadziratel]

No one can explain me the logic of comparing BTC to XRP. It may not be correct to compare any coins with XRP. Therefore, do not go to such comparisons in vain. Always BTC and ETH> XRP!

[masterrex]

If ripple (XRP) is bad and no real use at all, it wont stay any longer in the CMC ranking currently at number three, as we all know that most of the cryptocurrency has its own negative issues, even bitcoin and Ethereum was not spare in these negative issues that's why for me it doesn't matter if XRP is not "fully decentralized" or not decentralized all i care is XRP was useful and effective in the real world use case specially for cross border payments and overseas remittances. i'm not comparing bitcoin, ethereum to the XRP but as a cryptocurrency that contributed a lot in these industry its should be recognized accordingly.

[knuckey]

Ripple always triggers a polemic, between centralized or decentralized. Everyone in this forum knows and agrees that ripple are not decentralized, but this does not mean ripple are a bad investment. Many partners from banks to large institutions are proof that ripple has potential that can be attractive to investors.

Indeed the purpose of investment is to make a profit, therefore people choose ripple, they choose profit rather than decentralized  

[naikturun]

I admit that Ripple is a fairly well developed coin but I don't agree if Ripple is more decentralized than BTC and ETH, ok don't take BTC but ETH alone as a comparison of its development, ETH has given birth to many decentralized tokens up to now and Ripple did give birth token also but less highlighted by enthusiasts of cryptocurrency

man, ripple is a centralized coin even the owner acknowledges it, and some banks work with ripple because they might have access to it, so the difference is very far from BTC where everything is decentralized.
so it can't be compared to these two coins having different goals I think.

[jessyj48]

Ripple is not less decentralized but total centralized, it's good for the project though and I believe that's why it manages to win the heart of many investors, comparing it to ETH and BTC is not a fair comparison

[bassbity]

I admit that Ripple is a fairly well developed coin but I don't agree if Ripple is more decentralized than BTC and ETH, ok don't take BTC but ETH alone as a comparison of its development, ETH has given birth to many decentralized tokens up to now and Ripple did give birth token also but less highlighted by enthusiasts of cryptocurrency

man, ripple is a centralized coin even the owner acknowledges it, and some banks work with ripple because they might have access to it, so the difference is very far from BTC where everything is decentralized.
so it can't be compared to these two coins having different goals I think.

Yes, compared to ETH it is very far because ETH is much more rapidly developing with the birth of a decentralized token that is successful even today there are still many fans and I think that thanks to ETH there are also so many tokens that have value.
While Ripple as I know it is only centralized and used by large companies and it is true that you say the purpose of Ripple and BTC, ETH is very different so it cannot be the same.

[nreal]

People should clearly distinguish XRP and Ripple, xCurrent is the most used among Ripple platforms and it does not use XRP. In fact, XRP is not necessary for Ripple technology. Moreover, the volatility of XRP cryptocurrency on exchanges will prevent it from becoming an online payment mechanism.

[maxreish]

I admit that Ripple is a fairly well developed coin but I don't agree if Ripple is more decentralized than BTC and ETH, ok don't take BTC but ETH alone as a comparison of its development, ETH has given birth to many decentralized tokens up to now and Ripple did give birth token also but less highlighted by enthusiasts of cryptocurrency

Have you read the whole post? It was said to be "less decentralized" not more decentralized.

Anyway, back to the topic. I always uses xrp rather than bitcoin because of it's fast transactions and less fees. In a few seconds an instant xrp will be received. And when it comes to being less decentralized, it doesn't matter. Xrp is still different from btc and other coins. It has strong impact because it was widely used by some institutions.

[TastyChillySauce00]

doesn't matter whether you say it's less decentralized or not the whole point XRP is just centralized and a haven for bankers disguising as decentralized crypto and you can't change my mind about that. Though, it may not necessarily bad for certain people who just expect some profit out of any crypto out there and the fact that it could climb up its way to the top among any other top tier crypto is undeniable but the rumours revolving around XRP is such a huge turn off for me.

[Captain Corporate]

 If you are looking to provide some sort of legitimization towards ripple than you will find it, Ripple has been around for a looooong time, I remember the big trio when this all started with bitcoin, litecoin and ripple, before all other altcoins they were there, there was also some weird coin like namecoin or something that you could mine while mining bitcoin as well but that wasn't really that big of a deal even when there were handful of coins. So you don't have to defend ripple, they are doing very well, for a company in crypto industry that is as old as any other except bitcoin they just raised 200 million dollars in seed money so of course the company is doing awesome.

 However if you think that XRP is valuable or has anything to do with Ripple you are only kidding yourself. We are talking about a coin that is used by the company to transact money from one place to another and it has absolutely no other purpose at all, even Ripple is getting money from outside instead of using their own money most of the time, so xrp is worthless and useless, it has no utility and definitely doesn't make anyone any money except the owners of ripple, what good could you have from a coin that can be printed out of thin air whenever owners wanted, I would keep on using fiat if thats what I was looking for.

[bdivrik]

Who are the investors of XRP? There's constant advertising news. However, we cannot call Ripple a complete swap tool. Ripple made a deal with many banks. The price of Ripple may rise again in 2020. Already returned to the price 2 years ago. You can go up this level.

[Thomas-s]

doesn't matter whether you say it's less decentralized or not the whole point XRP is just centralized and a haven for bankers disguising as decentralized crypto and you can't change my mind about that. Though, it may not necessarily bad for certain people who just expect some profit out of any crypto out there and the fact that it could climb up its way to the top among any other top tier crypto is undeniable but the rumours revolving around XRP is such a huge turn off for me.

people do not understand that there are rumors around ripple and discussion and this is the most important thing if you want to make money on it. people who do not buy XRP because they consider it an empty - are fools. I also think that this is a useless coin, but I buy it because I know where there are rumors and discussions - there will be growth. maybe not now and not tomorrow, but one day we will see a pump

[Bananington]

I understand pretty well that there are some crypto enthusiasts against XRP because of its centralized nature, but yet it doesn't stop it from being 3rd position with regards market capitalisation. I read through the points made by OP and there is some sense in it, even though decentralization was a core aspect of crypto from onset. Ripple has achieved many remarkable products and partnerships over the years, hence its the more reason why I'm considering to hold some this 2020.

[disconnectme]

I do understand your point, centralization is not a bad thing, and I do not understand why it seems to be demonized in this space, the main problem I have with Ripple is what is the function of their tokens, they premine their tokens and keep dumping it on retail traders (I can't call them retail investors because Ripple do not see those that hold the tokens has investors), Ripple just raise money for VC's recently and from the talking point of the CEO, it seems they do not value tokens holders contribution to the success.

[Heisenberg_Hunter]

...snip...

Pretty much this. Ripple and their coin XRP is highly centralized destroying the purpose of a cryptocurrency. The basis of decentralization i.e mining is not really present in Ripple and the way they centralize and trying to gain power in the cryptocurrency space is not really good.

Either way centralized coins like XRP and the ecosystem like Ripple doesn't have a long way to go unless the real purpose of bitcoin starts to emerge on the market. I am a Bitcoin, Ethereum and Monero supporter and so well I do hate other coins as well. All 3 of them have a purpose in the cryptocurrency space and are highly decentralized when compared to a coin like XRP. On top of that, they are gaining interest from banks which isn't really pleasing for crypto enthusiasts who does hate the centralized mechanisms of banks.

[shinratensei_]

Who are the investors of XRP? There's constant advertising news. However, we cannot call Ripple a complete swap tool. Ripple made a deal with many banks. The price of Ripple may rise again in 2020. Already returned to the price 2 years ago. You can go up this level.

Those people are still buying the ripple centralized coin right now are the investors of ripple. Ripple never be a swap tool as the developer will never try to focus on the coin development but the developer just wanna take the orders from the bankers to create a copycat from the ripple blockchain to be implemented into their system.
You are totally joking about the price. I thought it's better if you tell jed and foundation to not dump their tokens to the market and that will make the price of ripple to go up again.
Billion coins already reserved to be dumped into the market.