Editing XRP (section)

== Competition ==
XRP, primarily used for cross-border payments and remittances, has several peers or competitors in the cryptocurrency space, each with its own features and focus areas. Here are some of the main peers of XRP:

# '''Bitcoin (BTC):''' Although primarily seen as a digital store of value, Bitcoin is the original cryptocurrency and is used for a variety of purposes, including international transactions. Its widespread recognition and adoption make it a benchmark in the crypto space.
# '''Ethereum (ETH):''' Known for its smart contract functionality, Ethereum is more than just a payment currency. However, its wide adoption and the development of decentralized finance (DeFi) applications on its platform make it a significant player in the broader context of digital payments.
# '''Stellar (XLM):''' Stellar targets a similar market as XRP, focusing on facilitating low-cost, cross-border transactions. It is often considered a direct competitor to XRP, especially in terms of its aim to streamline international money transfers.
# '''Litecoin (LTC):''' Created as a "lighter" version of Bitcoin, Litecoin offers faster transaction times and lower fees, making it suitable for microtransactions and day-to-day use.
# '''Ripple's SWIFT Competitors:''' Ripple (and by extension XRP) often positions itself as a competitor to traditional banking systems like SWIFT, used for international bank-to-bank transactions. Any advancements in SWIFT's technology or other similar systems could impact XRP's relevance.
# '''Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs):''' With many countries exploring or developing their own digital currencies, these CBDCs could emerge as direct competitors to XRP in the space of cross-border payments and remittances.
# '''Other Cross-Border Payment Cryptocurrencies:''' There are numerous other cryptocurrencies designed to facilitate cross-border payments, each with its own unique features and use cases.
# '''USD Coin (USDC) and Other Stablecoins:''' Stablecoins, pegged to fiat currencies like the US dollar, are increasingly used for international transactions due to their price stability, which could pose competition to XRP in certain use cases.

Each of these peers competes with XRP in different ways, whether it be in transaction speed, cost, scalability, or specific use-case applicability. The landscape is dynamic, with ongoing developments in technology, regulation, and market adoption continuously reshaping competitive positions.
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Feature/Aspect
!XRP (Ripple)
!Bitcoin (BTC)
!Ethereum (ETH)
!Stellar (XLM)
!Litecoin (LTC)
!SWIFT (Traditional)
!CBDCs
!Stablecoins (e.g., USDC)
|-
|Focused on Cross-Border Payments
|✓
|✗
|✗
|✓
|✗
|✓
|?
|?
|-
|Smart Contract Functionality
|✗
|✗
|✓
|✓
|✗
|✗
|?
|✗
|-
|Transaction Speed
|✓
|✗
|✗
|✓
|✓
|✗
|?
|✓
|-
|Low Transaction Cost
|✓
|✗
|✗
|✓
|✓
|✗
|?
|✓
|-
|Wide Adoption and Recognition
|✗
|✓
|✓
|✗
|✗
|✓
|?
|✓
|-
|Decentralized
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✗
|?
|✓
|-
|Energy Efficiency
|✓
|✗
|✗
|✓
|✓
|N/A
|?
|N/A
|-
|Regulatory Scrutiny
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✓
|✗
|✗
|✗
|✓
|-
|Price Stability
|✗
|✗
|✗
|✗
|✗
|N/A
|✓
|✓
|-
|Use in DeFi Platforms
|✗
|✓
|✓
|✗
|✗
|✗
|✗
|✓
|}
Key:

* ✓ : Yes/High/Applies
* ✗ : No/Low/Does Not Apply
* ? : Variable/Depends on the specific context or implementation

This table is a general comparison and the features or aspects can change over time due to advancements in technology, changes in market dynamics, and evolving regulatory landscapes. Additionally, the "?" in the table indicates areas where the characteristic can vary significantly depending on the specific situation or type of CBDC or stablecoin.