Ripple

Ripple is a protocol that has its native cryptocurrency. The platform represents an open-source protocol that is intended to allow for quick and cheap transactions.

The cryptocurrency that the platform uses is called XRP. It is one of the veterans in the space, and since 2014 it’s showing up consistently among the top cryptocurrencies by market cap.
Unlike the majority of the cryptocurrencies, Ripple doesn’t really have a blockchain, per se. Instead, they use their own patented technology called the Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm (RPCA).

The average transaction time for Ripple is a lot less than that of other major cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin and Litecoin. This allows for quick international transactions, and that’s where the company places its focus – to be used as a medium of exchange for international and cross-border payments. This is why the company has entered into a few partnerships with some banking systems. Among the banks that work with Ripple include Santander, Rendimento, and Interbank.

Naturally, there are also some downsides to Ripple, mainly stemming from the fact that it is centralized, which goes against a lot of what cryptocurrency proponents stand for.