How To Invest In Ripple (XRP) 2023

The Ultimate Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Ripple (XRP)

Last Updated December 20th 2022

21 Min Read

Why invest in XRP? What are Ripple investment pros and challenges? Here is everything you need to know about Ripple investing.

In a time not so long ago, investing in Ripple was somewhat cumbersome.

This is because you would first need to buy Bitcoin, transfer the funds to a cryptocurrency exchange, and then make the conversion to Ripple. Then, you would need to withdraw the coins to a Ripple wallet - all of which required a deposit of 20 XRP.

Now the process of investing in Ripple could not be easier.

In fact, this guide on How to Invest in Ripple (XRP) will show you how to buy it in less than 10 minutes - with no need to worry about wallets.

We’ll also explain the ins and outs of how a Ripple investment works, what risks and potential rewards you need to consider, and how you can cash out your gains.

If you want to invest in XRP quickly and easily, check out eToro!

This ad promotes virtual cryptocurrency investing within the EU (by eToro Europe Ltd.), UK (eToro UK Ltd.) & USA (by eToro USA LLC); which is highly volatile, unregulated in some EU countries and the UK, no EU or UK consumer protections & not supervised by the EU or UK regulatory framework. Investments are subject to market risk, including the loss of principal.

How to Invest in Ripple (XRP) in 5 Easy Steps

This guide on how to invest in XRP will break everything down in Layman’s terms so that you do not make a purchase blindly.

If you’re strapped for time and simply want to invest in Ripple without reading our in-depth walkthrough - follow the steps below!

Step 1: Open an account with a regulated broker

Step 2: Deposit some funds with a debit/credit card, e-wallet, or bank transfer

Step 3: Choose the amount you want to invest in Ripple (XRP)

Step 4: Confirm the investment

Step 5: Leave your Ripple stored until you decide to cash out

As the 5-step walkthrough above highlights, the process of investing in Ripple (XRP) could not be easier. Best of all, there is no requirement to worry about cryptocurrency wallets - as regulated brokers like eToro will store the XRP tokens for you!

What is Ripple?

Whether you are investing in blue-chip stocks or a highly speculative cryptocurrency like Ripple - understanding the asset you are buying is crucial.

After all, you are going to be risking your own money on a financial instrument that isn’t guaranteed to increase in value. On the contrary, there is every chance that you will make a loss.

With this in mind, we are now going to explain the basics of Ripple and XRP.

So, Ripple is a digital currency project that was first launched in 2012. This makes it one of the oldest cryptocurrencies in the space - created three years after Bitcoin and two years before Ethereum.

The Ripple project itself is centralized, meaning that it is controlled by its founders. This is in stark contrast to the aforementioned cryptocurrencies, which are ‘decentralized’ and thus - not controlled by any single person or authority.

Nevertheless, Ripple was created with a clear goal - to revolutionize the cross-border payments industry. That is to say, Ripple’s underlying technology allows big banks and financial institutions to transfer funds domestically and overseas in a matter of seconds.

In addition to this, the fees associated with using the technology are minute. While Ripple is the technology that supports the network, XRP is the digital currency. The terms Ripple and XRP are, however, often used interchangeably.

Crucially, outside of the financial institution arena, the vast majority of people buy Ripple as a speculative investment. This means that they hope the value of XRP will increase over time, allowing investors to cash out for more than they put in.

How Does the Invest in Ripple (XRP) Process Work?

If there is one thing preventing investors from purchasing Ripple - it’s a failure to understand how the process actually works.

But, once you see how simple it really is, you’ll have no issues investing in some XRP tokens yourself. This is because the Ripple investment journey is no different from buying traditional stocks.

For example, if you bought $500 worth of stocks, which then increased by 50% - you would see returns of $750.

In exactly the same way, if you invest $1,000 in Ripple and you made 20%, you would cash out $1,200.

To make sure we clear the mist, let’s look at a simple example of how the Ripple investment process works in the real world.

You open an account with an online broker that sells Ripple
You deposit $2,000 and invest the full amount into Ripple
At the time of the purchase, XRP is worth $0.83
You hold on to the XRP tokens for four years
When you get around to cashing out, Ripple is worth $3.10
This translates into a price increase of 274%

So, as the above example shows, you originally invested $2,000 of your hard-earned money into Ripple. After just 4 years, the digital tokens increased in value by 274% - so your investment is now worth $7,470.

Just like stocks, it’s then a case of closing your position and seeing the proceeds added to your brokerage account balance. Finally, you then withdraw the cash out to your bank account.

Why Should you Invest in Ripple (XRP)?

There are many reasons why you might decide to invest in Ripple and its underlying XRP token.

This includes the following:

1. Huge Returns on Ripple Since it was Launched

In a similar nature to other popular cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, the value of Ripple has skyrocketed since the project was first launched. When XRP eventually listed on a public exchange, it was priced at just $0.014. That's just under one and a half US cents.

With interest in the XRP project increasing in the preceding years, the value of Ripple continued in an upward trajectory. Then, in early 2018, the digital currency reached all-time highs of $3.84.

This means that in just four years of being listed on its first exchange, XRP grew by 27,000%. In real terms, this means that had you invested in Ripple at a stake of $2,000 in 2013, your money would have been worth almost $550,000.

However, and much like the rest of the digital currency industry, the value of Ripple then went on a prolonged downward spiral. XRP hit lows of around $0.28 in August 2018, meaning that in just 8 months the cryptocurrency lost 92% in value.

ripple price chart

The good news is that Ripple had a great 2021. Hitting 52-week lows of just $0.2158 - XRP breached $1.96 in October - representing an increase of 1021%.

2. Cross-Border Payment Industry Needs to be Revolutionized

Ripple and its XRP token are looking to disrupt an industry that is in dire need of being revolutionized - cross-border payments. For those unaware, trillions of dollars worth of currencies change hands each and every day - with the vast majority of this dominated by big financial institutions.

Most of these transactions are facilitated by SWIFT. The key problem is that the system is not only slow and expensive, but it is fraught with red tape.

For example:

Let’s say a large-scale factory in Kenya buys $10 million worth of raw materials from Australia
First, a Kenyan financial institution will transfer the money to a corresponding bank that deals in US dollars
Then the corresponding bank will convert US dollars into Australian dollars with the corresponding bank of the Australian exporter
Finally, the corresponding bank will transfer Australian dollars to the bank account of the Australian exporter
The entire process is facilitated by SWIFT

As you can see from the above, SWIFT isn’t a payments network at all. On the contrary, it’s just a middleman that sits between financial institutions and corresponding banks. Crucially, this is where Ripple and XRP step in.

You see, by using the Ripple payments network, there is no requirement for corresponding banks or the use of a third currency like the US dollar. Instead, banks can transact on a peer-to-peer basis through the Ripple network.

Most importantly, the XRP token is what bridges everything together - meaning that the underlying currencies of choice are irrelevant! All in all, as more and more banks utilize the Ripple technology, this will drive the demand for XRP up and thus - its market valuation.

3. Low Token Price and Small Market Capitalization

It is also worth noting that the barriers of entry are really low when you invest in Ripple.

This is because - even at its 2021 highs, you will only pay $1.83 per XRP token. In fact, if you use a regulated broker like eToro, the minimum investment required is just $10.

So, by meeting the minimum, this means that you would get just over 13 XRP tokens! In addition to this, Ripple also carries a relatively small market capitalization at $51 billion.

While at first glance this might sound a lot, the Ripple technology is already being trialled or used by over 200+ financial institutions.

In turn, if Ripple becomes the de-facto protocol for facilitating cross-border payments, a market capitalization of $51 billion will seem like a drop in the ocean.

Read Also: Ripple Price Predictions

How to Invest in Ripple (XRP) - Various Options Available

There are several ways in which you can invest in Ripple (XRP) - some easier and more cost-effective than others. As we discuss shortly, the most convenient way of doing this is to use a regulated online broker like eToro.

With that said, depending on where you live, you can also invest in Ripple via a cryptocurrency ATM.

Let’s explore how this works.

With the cryptocurrency craze in full swing, how do you Invest in Ripple (XRP)? We've got all the answers on how to convert your cash into Ripple and more.

1. Ripple ATMs

As the name implies, cryptocurrency ATMs allow you to buy digital currencies through a physical terminal. They look and operate much like a traditional ATM, but in reverse.

That is to say, by inserting cash into the ATM, you will receive a proportionate amount of cryptocurrency. Now, on the one hand, there are more than 12,000 cryptocurrency ATMs scattered around the world.

However, only a small percentage of this figure allows you to buy Ripple. Instead, most ATMs only support Bitcoin. In fact, there are less than 250 cryptocurrency ATMs that allow you to buy XRP, so unless you live in a major city like Paris, New York, or Berlin - you'll likely struggle.

Nevertheless, if you are fortunate enough to live near a supported terminal, here’s how a Ripple investment works via a cryptocurrency ATM.

You visit your nearest ATM and select Ripple from the list of supported coins
You then enter the amount that you want to invest in your local currency
For example, if you’re based in Germany then you might enter 100 EUR
The ATM will then display the exact amount of XRP that you will get - based on the size of your chosen investment
For example, a 100 EUR purchase might leave you with 90 EUR worth of Ripple after fees
You insert 100 EUR cash into the ATM
Finally, the ATM prints a ticket with your Ripple wallet credentials

Now, there are several flaws with the Ripple ATM route. Firstly, cryptocurrency ATM providers charge hefty fees.

After all, the machines need electricity to run, they need to rent the location that the ATM is positioned, and both maintenance and cash collection is required on a regular basis.

In turn, don’t be surprised if you end up paying a mark-up of between 10% and 20%.

Secondly, the investment process doesn’t end once you have left the cryptocurrency ATM. This is because you need to claim the XRP tokens via a Ripple wallet. Your private key and wallet address will be contained on the ticket that the ATM printed.

This is fine if you know what you are doing - but can be challenging if you’re a newbie. Additionally, don’t forget that all Ripple wallets required a locked deposit of 20 XRP to open. You can’t touch these funds for as long as you keep the wallet active!

Taking all of the above into account, we would suggest that you invest in Ripple through an online broker.

2. Ripple Exchanges

In a nutshell, by using an online exchange to invest in Ripple, it is entirely feasible to complete the process in less than 10 minutes. This is because you can quickly open an account by providing some personal information, and then instantly deposit funds with a debit/credit card.

In some cases, you might even be able to deposit via Paypal - which is also instant. Then, it’s just a case of deciding how much you wish to invest. As we uncover in a bit more detail shortly, online brokers are significantly cheaper than Ripple ATMs, too.

Additionally, if your chosen broker allows you to invest in Ripple with a fiat currency deposit method, then it must have the legal remit to do so. As such, the platform is required to keep your investment funds safe and ensure that it keeps criminal activity at bay.

Would you consider investing in Ripple XRP?

How to Choose a Platform to Invest in Ripple

In the section above we discussed how using an online broker is the best way to invest in Ripple. While this is true, the most difficult part is not only finding a trusted provider - but one that charges reasonable fees and accepts your preferred payment method.

As such, below you will find a range of factors that need to be considered before you invest in Ripple with a new broker.

1. Licensing and Reputation

Before you even get to metrics surrounding fees and payments, it’s crucial that you explore the regulatory standing of your chosen Ripple broker. This is because the cryptocurrency space is dominated by unregulated platforms.

The key problem for licensing bodies around the world is that digital currencies are borderless technologies. As such, if one government bans the unregulated platform it will simply move overseas.

Fortunately, there is a small selection of brokers that allow you to invest in Ripple in a safe and secure environment.

For example, eToro is regulated by three reputable license issuers. This includes the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC. For added weight, the platform is also registered with FINRA - which allows US citizens to safely invest in Ripple.

2. Fees to Invest in Ripple

Once you are sure that your chosen Ripple broker is licensed and fully regulated, it's then time to turn to the financials. At the forefront of this is the commission that you will need to pay to invest in Ripple.

This works like a traditional stock trading site - insofar that you will likely pay a variable commission that is based on the amount you invest in Ripple. For example, Coinbase will charge you 1.49% when you invest in Ripple, and again when you cash out.

This means that by investing $500, you will initially pay a commission of $7.55. If you chased out your Ripple investment when it was worth $800, then your 1.49% would translate to a commission of $11.92.

Although at first glance this might sound competitive, it really isn’t.

In addition to this, Coinbase - and most other Ripple brokers, charge you to deposit funds with a debit card. This stands at a huge 3.99%.

3. Minimum Ripple Investment and Payments

Once you are happy with the broker’s commission structure, it’s then time to see what the minimum Ripple investment is. At eToro, this stands at just $25. Other platforms require significantly more, so do check this out for yourself.

And of course, you also need to check what payment methods you can use to invest in Ripple. As we noted earlier, the easiest way to fund your Ripple broker account is to use a debit/credit card or e-wallet - which are instant.

If, however, your chosen broker only allows you to invest in Ripple via a bank transfer, you might want to reconsider. This is because it can take several days for the funds to arrive.

4. Storage and Cashing Out

Finally, it is also important what will happen after you have completed your Ripple investment. As we covered earlier, withdrawing XRP tokens to a Ripple wallet is an absolute pain.

Not only do you need to feel comfortable with wallet security, but you need to lock up 20 XRP to keep it active. This is why we think it’s best to use a regulated platform like eToro which can store your Ripple tokens for you.

This FCA, ASIC, and CySEC regulated broker utilized institutional-grade controls to ensure that your Ripple investment remains in safe hands until you decide to cash out.

When you do, it’s then just a case of clicking on the ‘Sell’ button. In doing so, the funds will immediately appear in your eToro cash account - ready for you to withdraw out!

Ready to invest in Ripple XRP?

Tips On How To Invest in Ripple (XRP) And Make A Profit

Before you go ahead and begin the purchase process, check out the three tips listed below on how to invest in Ripple, and make a profit!

Tip 1: Set Some Financial Goals

Unless you are planning to invest in Ripple on a perpetual basis, you will at some point need to think about cashing your tokens out. As such, always set yourself some financial targets in terms of profit. This can be as simple as selling your Ripple investment when XRP hits $5.

Tip 2: Dollar-Cost Average Your Ripple Investments

Ripple is a volatile cryptocurrency - so it’s best to invest via dollar-cost averaging. This means that you might invest a fixed amount at the end of each month.

On each investment, you will pay a different price as per market conditions. In turn, you will average out your cost price, and thus - there is no need to worry about short-term volatility!

Tip 3: Diversify Your Ripple Investment

Experienced investors will rarely put more than 10% of their portfolio into a single asset. As such, it’s best to diversify your capital into several digital currencies - maybe adding some Bitcoin and Ethereum too.

You should then consider adding more traditional asset classes to reduce your exposure - such as stocks and bonds.

How to Invest in Ripple Today - Step-by-Step Walkthrough

So now that we have explained everything there is no to know about XRP - we are now going to show you how to invest in Ripple today!

Step 1: Open an Account

Head over to the eToro website and click on the ‘Join Now’ button. Following the on-screen instructions by entering some personal information and contact details. Confirm your mobile number by entering the code sent to you.

This part of the process should take 3-4 minutes at most.

Step 2: Upload Some ID

As per anti-money conditions, eToro will ask you to upload some ID. Simply submit a clear copy of your passport/driver’s license and proof of address. The latter can be a bank account statement or utility bill.

Note: If you are not investing more than $2,250 into Ripple right now, you can upload the above documents at a later date.

Step 3: Make a Deposit

Before you can invest in Ripple, you will need to deposit at least $200 into your eToro account.

You can choose from the following payment options:

Debit Card
Credit Card
Paypal
Skrill
Neteller
Sofort
Trustly
Bank Transfer

Don’t forget, non-USD deposits will incur a small FX fee of 0.5%.

Step 4: Search for Ripple (XRP)

Once your deposit is processed, enter ‘Ripple’ into the search box at the top of the screen, and then click on the ‘Trade’ button.

Step 5: Complete Ripple Investment

You will now see an order box. Enter the amount of money that you want to invest in Ripple (minimum $10). Finally, click on the ‘Open Trade’ button to complete your-free Ripple investment.

Step 6: Cashout Your Ripple Investment

Once you have invested in Ripple at eToro, the XRP tokens are stored on your behalf. When you decide to sell your Ripple investment, just head over to your portfolio and click the ‘Sell’ button.

The cash will then be added to your eToro balance - which you can then reinvest or withdraw to your payment method.

eToro – The Best Platform To Buy Ripple XRP

eToro have proven themselves trustworthy within the industry over many years – we recommend you try them out.

Virtual currencies are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk.

How To Invest In Ripple in 2023 - The Bottom Line

Like any coin, there is a high degree of risk involved if you're considering investing in Ripple. However, given the low price point, it could have the possibility for a high return with low barrier to entry.

If you want to invest in Ripple in the safest and most convenient way possible - forget cryptocurrency ATMs and exchanges. Instead, opt for a regulated broker like eToro.

Not only will you have the protection of the CySEC, and ASIC - but you can invest in Ripple from just $10.

Furthermore, you can instantly deposit funds with a debit/credit card or e-wallet.

You never know, Ripple could skyrocket as high as Bitcoin is today, and you might be thanking yourself in several years.

To invest in Ripple right now, choose a regulated exchange like eToro, meet the minimum deposit of $50 with your debit/credit card or e-wallet, and buy a minimum of $10 worth of XRP. This should take you no more than 10 minutes.

FAQs

How much should I invest in Ripple?

The amount you invest in Ripple is a decision that only you can make. You need to take into account the risks and rewards of buying XRP, and ensure that you never invest more than you can realistically afford to lose.

Is Ripple a good investment in 2023?

Ripple has increased in value by over 730% since its 2021 lows of $0.22. Although these returns are huge, nobody knows what will happen in 2023. With that said, as more and more financial institutions begin to use the Ripple technology, this is sure to have a positive impact on the price of XRP.

Can I invest $100 in Ripple?

Yes, Ripple is one of the lowest-priced cryptocurrencies - with 2021 highs at just $1.83 per XRP token. The minimum amount you can invest in Ripple is dependent on your chosen broker. At eToro, it’s just $25.