How to Buy XRP (Ripple)
Trading is risky and you might lose part, or all, of your capital invested. The information provided is for informational and educational purposes only and does not represent any type of financial advice and/or investment recommendation.
Curious about crypto? Confused about how to invest in digital currency or think your options are limited to the well-known names out there, such as Bitcoin?
Read on to find out more about Ripple, the company that is behind XRP, a high-ranking digital token that prioritises quick and simple transactions and is often commended for its low fees and ease of use.
What Is XRP (Ripple)?
XRP is a cryptocurrency. Often referred to simply as 'crypto', a cryptocurrency is a type of digital money or asset designed to be used as payment for goods or services online. Cryptocurrencies can also be bought and traded online by investors looking to profit.
Ripple is the payments company and technology network that is behind the cryptocurrency known as XRP. It first hit the market over a decade ago and was at one time poised to become the future of digital money transfers.
At one point, the future of XRP (Ripple) looked uncertain. Still, after a tentative win against the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) earlier this year, the outlook for the value of XRP began to improve.
Ripple claims its XRP currency has advantages over alternative digital assets such as:
It processes faster
Transactions are simpler
Fees are lower
Transactions use less energy than a number of competitors
Some puritans in the cryptocurrency sphere do not consider XRP to be a true cryptocurrency in the traditional sense. This is down to its centralization and the fact that it is controlled by a corporate entity. XRP is also pre-mined, meaning that buyers are not able to mine it like they would Bitcoin.
A Ripple transfer between banks, businesses or even peers can happen in seconds and at a low fee, further setting it apart from competitors, which may take minutes, hours or even days.
Some people like the perceived reliability and safety that using XRP might offer over other digital currencies; others criticize its lack of decentralization and the fact it works in cooperation with big banks and financial institutions, as they believe this goes against what crypto stands for.
How to Buy XRP
You can buy XRP across multiple platforms, including:
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
Some people view XRP as an investment opportunity while others prefer it as a means to pay for goods and services online.
If you decide to buy XRP in the UK, you need to ensure that the platform you select will allow this transaction.
Buying on Coinbase
Each platform will have its own protocol to guide you as you purchase your first XRP. You can follow the instructions to make your purchase.
It is ultimately your decision where to buy your XRP from, but we will look at how to buy XRP via Coinbase’s centralized exchange as an example.
To buy XRP using Coinbase’s centralized exchange, you need to:
Register for an account if you do not already have one. This typically requires your personal details and ID documents.
Add a payment method (bank transfer, credit card, etc.).
Select the ‘Buy & Sell’ option on the website or press ( + ) Buy on the Home tab if you are using the app.
Scroll down and choose XRP from the list of available assets.
Select the amount you want to spend in your currency. Coinbase will convert this into XRP for you.
Buy your XRP by finalizing your purchase and clicking the ‘Buy now’ option. You now own some XRP.
Most of the platforms where you can buy XRP in the UK will give you an XRP wallet once you have made your purchase in which to store your tokens.
Ripple XRP wallets are available across popular platforms, including eToro. They are ideal if you are buying XRP as a beginner because you have limited responsibilities for the technical side.
Don’t invest in unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
Private XRP wallets offer additional features, extra security and privacy as no other company has access to it – although they require more technical knowledge to set up and use.
Private wallets are split into:
Hot wallets – This type of crypto wallet is constantly connected to the internet. These are recommended if you want to buy Ripple stock as a beginner.
Cold wallets – Paper or hardware options that are not connected to the internet. Ideal for storing a large number of assets, long-term holding or if you are an experienced cryptocurrency user.
As with buying any cryptocurrency, there is always a risk of theft, hacking or a brokerage company running into legal or financial issues – choose carefully and select the option that leaves you with the most security and the least risk.
Tips to Choose a Platform to Buy XRP (UK)
If you are new to trading or buying digital assets, you need to do your homework in order to select a platform that is right for you.
There are many websites out there that advertise XRP; when deciding which one to use, consider the following:
Do you understand the fee structure and is it fair?
Does it align with your investment goals, limitations and profile?
Is the platform safe? Is it Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) approved?
Are there any customer service features that you might need, such as a helpline or online advisor?
Have you got the relevant identity documentation required to set up an account and an accepted payment method?
Does the platform have a good reputation? It is an established site and what are people saying about it online?
You should also consider any tax implications, such as Capital Gains Tax, which may apply to profits you make from crypto sales and how these may affect you.
On the back of their partial win against SEC, Ripple has applied for registration with the FCA in the UK.
It is predicted that the UK is poised to become a more significant performer in the world of crypto as more companies are attracted to its clearer and more concrete legislation than the US currently offers, but this remains to be seen.
When deciding if it is the right time for you to buy XRP in the UK, you should always consider your personal and financial circumstances, risk tolerance and market volatility. You can check blog posts, forums or trade websites for the most up-to-date info on assets.
Should I Buy XRP?
You can use XRP in the same way you would other digital currencies that are out there.
Although Ripple’s XRP has continued to perform well and has advantages, especially around its cost, speed and ease of use, it has not been without its controversies over the years.
Ripple secured a partial win against the SEC, which was alleging that XRP was a security and had not been acknowledged as one, but the case affected the volatility of XRP and damaged its short-term value.
Most recently, the value of XRP has been declining. If you bought $10 of XRP in 2021, it would now be worth around $4.15, and if you invested the same amount in 2022, your $10 investment in XRP would have shrunk to approximately $0.73.
Making a significant investment in Ripple’s XRP is a high-risk, high-stakes game – as with buying or trading any digital asset, there is the potential for financial loss, security issues and personal stress.
However, many people still cite Ripple’s methods as offering a glimpse into the future of digital payments and the use of XRP is inextricably linked with this idea.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to buy XRP for beginners?
Novice investors and buyers should select a trusted broker or exchange to explore buying XRP through. Do some online research; be realistic about what you can afford to pay and what your risk tolerance is.
Consider buying XRP from eToro, which boasts over 20 million users, or crypto.com, which has a handy mobile app for on-the-go investing. Both offer comparatively low fees.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
Where to buy XRP?
You can buy XRP across multiple well-known trading and cryptocurrency platforms, including Coinbase, eToro and Kraken.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
What does XRP stand for?
XRP is the currency code for Ripple’s native cryptocurrency XRP. Although you might see Ripple and XRP used interchangeably, they are different terms, XRP being a currency and Ripple its creator and distributor.
How to buy Ripple in the UK?
Buy your XRP from a crypto exchange that is available to people based in the UK, such as Coinbase, eToro or Kraken.
Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest.
Why should I buy XRP?
To buy XRP, select a platform and follow the instructions to buy your XRP. You will need a valid account and payment method to purchase crypto.
What is the best broker to buy XRP in the UK?
To select a broker to buy XRP from, you should do some research and think about your goals, circumstances and limitations. Consider trying out a popular, trusted broker such as Kraken (where you can buy and sell 200+ cryptocurrencies). Alternatives include Coinbase or Coinjar.
How to buy XRP with PayPal?
You cannot buy XRP directly using your PayPal account as PayPal UK only allows the purchase of four cryptocurrencies: Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin and Bitcoin cash. You can, however, use your UK PayPal account to add funds to your chosen crypto trading/brokerage platform.
How many XRP are there?
The XRP ledger created 100 billion XRO tokens and that is all that will ever exist. Roughly 52 billion are in circulation, and approximately 5.5 billion are held by Ripple, with the remainder held in escrow to be released periodically over time.
What is the price of XRP?
As of 23rd July 2023, 1 XRP cost £0.58 ($0.74 or 0.67 euros). To put this in context, XRP’s all-time high was £2.99 for 1 XRP and it has been on the decline.
How to invest in XRP as a beginner?
If you want to try out investing in XRP as a beginner, choose a user-friendly platform to start with and do some research before buying any XRP. The cost of 1 XRP remains low so you can start off small if you are risk-averse or have little capital as a novice investor.
How to mine XRP?
Unlike mineable digital currency such as Bitcoin, XRP comes pre-mined. Pre-mined tokens such as XRP are put out by a centralized entity and all the tokens that will ever exist already exist (although they are not all yet in circulation).
What is the highest price XRP can reach?
Currently, the all-time high of 1 XRP is £2.99 but as the market is constantly changing, it is difficult to predict the price XRP might reach in the future and how quickly it might increase.
Right now, the market cap of XRP is $36.29 – if you are thinking of buying XRP, or already hold some, you should keep an eye on XRP’s market cap as an indicator of future performance and value.
Are Ripple and XRP the same thing?
Ripple is a company that provides options to major players in banking and finance. XRP is a popular digital currency (cryptocurrency) that was created by Ripple.
Final Thoughts
XRP by Ripple has continued to be cited amongst the dominant performers in cryptocurrencies since its introduction in 2012.
Traders and investors have enjoyed the safety and simplicity that XRP transactions offer and XRP is available for UK-based investors to buy, hold and trade.
Ripple still faces competition from other forms of cryptocurrency and traditional payment methods, despite the solutions it affords. As demonstrated by their previous legal issues with the SEC, Ripple is not immune to regulatory risks or future legal challenges – the threat of which may rise as the ubiquity of digital assets increases.
You should always do your research before investing in any form of crypto, and select a platform that aligns with your own investment limitations and needs. Aim to avoid taking financial risks that you know cannot afford.
If in doubt, before you invest in Ripple’s XRP in the UK, you can consult a financial advisor or reach out to more experienced traders for guidance.
The prices on cryptocurrency markets can fluctuate rapidly and you may stand to make a financial loss as well as financial gain.