Ripple (XRP) is a pretty big coin already. Apart from Bitcoin and Ethereum, it’s the next big thing and it reflects in the CMC rankings. 

It’s also going to explode in value towards the end of 2019 and into 2020. In my opinion.

Why? Just take a look at how many banks are piloting cross-border transfers with Ripple’s xRapid. And almost all of the banks have said something positive about the tech. That’s not surprising because most of the transfers have taken place in a mere few seconds. 

Ripple has done a fantastic job in bringing banks to the table - you will always hear news of them bringing in a new bank to RippleNet, or some executive talking to a financial industry insider about how DLTs will change the world or something.

My main reason for why XRP will explode in value this year is because of that adoption and because of the fact that an increasing number of people are seeing it as something of a bridge between the old world and the new. And that is true - people complain about it being centralized or too cozy with the financial industry, but that’s rubbish. 

Truth is, you can’t just hope that crypto will burn the old world. You will have to work with incumbent services, while also being aware that crypto delivers benefits to the people. Ripple can do so much to make the lives of migrants easier with cheaper cross-border transfers that they send to their families back home. Besides, it’s not the goal of Ripple to revolutionize the lives of the end user. It’s trying to make the operations of banks easier and it’s not cagey about it.

Another impressive aspect of Ripple’s business operations is the fact that it is getting a foothold on all continents. This is particularly true in Asia, where banks in several south east Asian countries have made pilot programs. Japan especially, where Ripple seems to be very popular (Japan’s SBI backs Ripple). 

As more and more of these pilot programs are tested successfully, I expect that Ripple will increase in value many fold, with more banks getting on board, not wanting to be left behind their competitors. This is just going to happen more and more, and people will see the value in Ripple’s goals.

There’s some external if somewhat abstract evidence that this is going to happen. The World Bank mentioned Ripple’s xRapid product with respect to remittance services. Ripple co-founder Chris Larsen was also selected to join an IMF Panel. Ripple is also a founding member of the Internation Association of Trusted Blockchain Applications (INATBA).

Ripple also recently announced a strategic partnership with money transferring giant MoneyGram involving $50 million. This means that one of the world’s largest money transfer giants will use Ripple for cross-border payments and foreign exchange settlement.