Disclaimer: “Note that this article is not investment advice. Please do your homework before making any investments in cryptocurrencies.”

In the cryptocurrency world, Ripple has been drawing a lot of attention. XRP, Ripple’s cryptocurrency, uses the blockchain technology like other cryptocurrencies. On the other hand, it is a regulated cryptocurrency and makes fund transfers easier for banks.

In the first half of 2017, Ripple has experienced a surge of 4000%. Ripple’s current market cap is over $100 billion. Ripple advocates that there were more than $11 billion worth transactions in the second quarter of 2017. It is already listed on 30 exchanges.

Why Would XRP Perform Great in 2018?

1- System:

Ripple is a partner of the biggest financial institutions all over the globe. Ripple’s more affordable and faster transactions are intended to boost the whole finance sector. It allows a smooth experience for global fund transfers. In future, it will probably be used as a liquidity solution for the international transactions. Banks and Payment Providers can use XRP for multiple currency transactions in order for minimizing the costs.

Now, SWIFT is used for most of the international payment transfers. When we make an international transaction, we have to give the SWIFT code belonging to the branch of the bank. For international transfers, SWIFT is considered as a monopoly. In its network, there are over 11,000 financial institutions and 200 countries. Ripple acts as a bridge between large financial institutions and works with a number of banks to employ its blockchain technology. It’s not easy to know when or whether Ripple will take SWIFT down. On the other hand, the monopoly of SWIFT on the cross-border fund transfers can be broken.

2- Strong Technology:

Ripple is capable to process 1500 transactions per second, and this is a big number when comparing to Bitcoin. Bitcoin can process maximum 7 transactions per second. Ripple’s technology is strong enough to substitute cross-border payment systems such as VISA, reduce the costs, and ensure instant transfers.

3- Reliance:

A lot of banks around the globe are proactively working with Ripple for incorporating its tehcnology to their payment infrastructure. Thus, Ripple becomes reliable, and investors think that XRP is safer when comparing to other cryptocurrencies.

4- Cryptocurrencies as a Shelter:

The performance of cryptocurrencies in 2017 will determine their demand in 2018. In the first half of 2017, XRP’s price has surged drastically. It’s not easy to imitate Ripple’s market development for other cryptocurrencies. Ripple will act as a prospect for uncertain times for the investors seeing the digital currencies as a shelter.

5- Recognition

The most popular cryptocurrencies are Bitcoin and Ethereum. Although it has a prospective technology, most cryptocurrency traders and investors are still not aware of Ripple. When some corporate investors join the network and Ripple gets some of the investors from Bitcoin and Ethereum, those who follow the trends can extremely boost the XRP prices.

2018 Predictions

• By the end of this year, the Ripple price is expected to reach the $7 mark at minimum when the latest developments and rising interest for XRP are considered.
• XRP’s Trading Volume is not even close to BTC and ETH which are the most widely known cryptocurrencies. In 2018, its trading volume is expected to enlarge, and any manipulations headed to the Ripple cryptocurrency may even result its price to reach $7-$10.
• The XRP’s overall price is expected to experience an upsurge, but it is obvious that all months may not be the same. The cryptocurrency enthusiasts do not lean towards the regulation of the cryptocurrency by banks or financial institutions or companies. XRP will probably turn out to be a solid investment in the long haul and as long as the banks keep their steady position, however its price may decrease in some months.

Is Ripple a Suitable Investment for You?

Ripple may be a beneficial investment in the long haul if you are up to invest in Ripple and hold it for years in your hands. There is a paradigm shift here, and we are all headed to the digitization of all currencies. Money is the digital ledger of banks in the world, and the cryptocurrencies like Ripple are distinctive in terms of their being intrinsically not anti-bank unlike many other cryptocurrencies. Actually they let the banks use the developing blockchain technology in nature.

If you are up to quick gains in a couple of months to a year, investing in XRP is considered to be promising. Prices are expected to drastically upsurge in 2018. At least, it will reach the one dollar mark.

XRP’s trading volume should also grow accordingly for day traders. The prices may fluctuate along with this increased trading activity.

Conclusion

Ripple’s cryptocurrency is a convenient long-term investment with its financial technology for future and the expanding bank network. In 2018, the XRP prices are expected to step up along with the growing interest in XRP and its technology. The XRP price surged up to 4000% during the first half of 2017. Since the most widely known cryptocurrencies, BTC and ETH, are way higher than XRP in terms of the trading volume, it is predicted to experience a minimum one-fourth or half the upsurge observed in 2017. Thus in 2018, it’s expected to exceed $7-$10.