How to Use Ripple (XRP): Complete Beginner’s Guide [2025 Update]

AI summary

Ripple (XRP) is poised for significant growth in 2025 following regulatory clarity from its case with the U.S. SEC, enabling new institutional products and expanding its global payments role. The article explains Ripple’s technology, advantages like fast and low-cost transactions, and provides a guide on buying and securely storing XRP using the Tangem Wallet. It also highlights the differences between Ripple and Stellar, practical uses of XRP, and why Tangem offers a secure, user-friendly storage solution.

Ripple (XRP) has been around for over a decade, but 2025 is a turning point. After years of regulatory uncertainty, Ripple Labs’ long-running case with the U.S. SEC has finally reached clarity, opening the door to new institutional products like XRP-based ETFs and expanding Ripple’s role in global payments. If you’ve heard about Ripple through the news or from friends investing in crypto, this guide will walk you through everything — what Ripple and the XRP Ledger are, how they work, how to buy XRP, and most importantly, how to store it safely with Tangem Wallet. Whether investing long-term or using XRP for fast, low-cost transactions, this is your one-stop guide to getting started.

What Is Ripple (XRP)?

Ripple was created in 2012 by developers Jed McCaleb, David Schwartz, and Arthur Britto with a bold vision: to make money move as easily as information. While Bitcoin aimed to be “digital gold,” Ripple focused on solving global payments, making cross-border transfers instant, affordable, and reliable.

It’s essential to understand the distinction between Ripple Labs and the XRP Ledger (XRPL):

• Ripple Labs is a private company that builds enterprise solutions for banks and payment providers.
• XRP is the native digital asset of the XRP Ledger, an open-source blockchain network that anyone can use independently of Ripple Labs.

The XRP Ledger’s purpose is simple: act as a bridge currency that connects different financial systems, whether banks move dollars and euros or individuals send crypto across borders.

How Does the XRP Ledger Work?

The XRP Ledger runs on a unique consensus algorithm called the Ripple Protocol Consensus Algorithm (RPCA). Unlike Bitcoin’s Proof-of-Work or Ethereum’s Proof-of-Stake, RPCA doesn’t rely on mining or staking. Instead, a group of independent validators agrees on the order and validity of transactions every few seconds.

Here’s what makes XRPL stand out:

• Speed: Transactions confirm in 3–5 seconds.
• Low fees: Typically less than a fraction of a cent per transfer.
• Energy efficiency: The ledger’s energy footprint is minimal because it doesn't use mining.

This consensus model gives XRP its reputation as one of the fastest, most sustainable blockchains, ideal for payments, remittances, and settlements.

Why Use Ripple (XRP) in 2025?

Ripple has evolved from an underdog project into a critical part of the digital finance landscape. In 2025, there are several reasons XRP is gaining traction again:

1. Speed and Cost Efficiency – XRP transactions are lightning-fast and nearly free, making them ideal for transferring value globally.
2. Institutional Adoption – Banks and payment processors continue integrating RippleNet for international settlements.
3. Regulatory Clarity – The legal win against the SEC restored confidence and opened doors for institutional products, including potential XRP ETFs.
4. DeFi and Tokenization Growth – Developers build DeFi platforms, stablecoins, and tokenized assets on XRPL.
5. Sustainability – With growing scrutiny of blockchain energy use, XRP’s low power consumption is a significant plus.

Ripple’s mission, connecting traditional finance and blockchain, is closer to reality than ever. Both XRP and Hedera are efficient Layer-1 networks designed for enterprise-scale use cases.

How to Buy Ripple (XRP)

Buying XRP is simple, but doing it securely matters. Here’s a step-by-step guide for 2025:

1. Choose a Cryptocurrency Exchange

You can buy XRP from reputable exchanges like:

• Coinbase
• Binance
• Kraken
• Bybit
• KuCoin

Always choose a regulated exchange in your region and enable two-factor authentication (2FA).

2. Complete Verification and Deposit Funds

Most exchanges require KYC verification (photo ID, address proof). Once verified, deposit funds in your local currency (USD, EUR, etc.) or another cryptocurrency like USDT or BTC.

3. Buy XRP and Withdraw It to Tangem Wallet

Search for XRP on the exchange, enter the amount you want to buy, and confirm your purchase. Once completed, withdraw your XRP immediately to your Tangem Wallet — never leave crypto sitting on an exchange.

To withdraw:

1. Open your Tangem App and find your XRP wallet address.
2. Copy the address.
3. Paste it into the exchange’s withdrawal section.
4. Confirm and send.

Within seconds, your XRP will appear in your Tangem Wallet, safe, secure, and under your control.

How to Store Ripple (XRP) Safely with Tangem Wallet

Your wallet choice determines how safe your crypto really is. Tangem Wallet is a non-custodial cold wallet, meaning your private keys are generated and stored securely inside the card’s chip, not online.

Setting Up Tangem Wallet for XRP

1. Download the Tangem App (iOS or Android).
2. Tap your Tangem card on your phone to activate it via NFC.
3. Follow the in-app steps to create your wallet.
4. Add XRP to your asset list.

You now have a Ripple-compatible wallet completely offline and protected by advanced hardware security.

Sending and Receiving XRP

To receive XRP, open your Tangem App, select XRP, and tap “Receive”. Share your address with the sender or copy it for deposits from an exchange. To send XRP, tap “Send”, enter the recipient’s address, and confirm with your Tangem card. The NFC tap acts as your secure signature. Tangem makes XRP transfers as easy as sending a text, while always protecting your keys.

Security Benefits

• No seed phrase: Private keys never leave the card.
• Offline storage: Immune to hacks, phishing, and exchange breaches.
• Hardware-grade encryption: Same security standards as modern passports.
• Simple mobile interface: Manage your XRP and hundreds of other tokens in one app.

Tip: Learn more in How Send via Swap Works in Tangem Wallet

Ripple vs Stellar – Key Differences

Ripple and Stellar share a common origin, but they’ve evolved for different audiences.

Ripple focuses on enterprise-level settlements, while Stellar aims for financial inclusion and peer-to-peer payments. Check out our guide on how to use Stellar (XLM).

How to Use Ripple (XRP) for Payments and Transfers

Beyond trading, XRP has practical, real-world uses:

• Remittances: People use XRP to send money across borders in seconds, skipping high fees from banks or remittance services.
• Institutional Settlements: RippleNet helps financial institutions settle international transfers using XRP as a bridge currency.
• Tokenization & CBDCs: The XRP Ledger supports issuing tokenized assets, stablecoins, and even central bank digital currencies (CBDCs).

Ripple’s partners include banks and payment providers in over 50 countries, showing how blockchain can quietly improve the plumbing of global finance.

XRP in the Tangem Ecosystem

Tangem fully supports XRP storage and transfers. When you create an XRP wallet in Tangem, your private key is generated securely inside the chip, ensuring no third party, not even Tangem, has access.

Benefits include:

• Seamless XRP support alongside BTC, ETH, XLM, and 1,000+ assets.
• Instant transaction confirmation with NFC signing.
• Cold-storage security with the convenience of a mobile wallet.

Tangem’s design bridges usability and safety, making it one of the best wallets for Ripple (XRP) in 2025. Download the Tangem App and add XRP to your wallet today.

FAQs about Ripple (XRP)

What is Ripple XRP?

Ripple is a blockchain-based payment network developed by Ripple Labs. XRP is the native cryptocurrency that powers transactions on the XRP Ledger.

Is XRP still a good investment in 2025?

XRP remains one of the most efficient and established payment tokens. With regulatory clarity and expanding institutional use, many investors see long-term potential, though, as with all crypto, it carries risk.

How to buy XRP safely?

Use trusted exchanges like Coinbase, Binance, or Kraken, then withdraw your XRP to a secure wallet like Tangem.

How fast are XRP transactions?

Transactions confirm in about 3–5 seconds, with fees under $0.01.

What’s the difference between Ripple Labs and XRP Ledger?

Ripple Labs builds payment products for banks, while the XRP Ledger is an open-source blockchain that operates independently.

Can I store XRP on Tangem Wallet?

Yes, Tangem supports XRP natively, letting you store, send, and receive XRP with complete control over your private keys.

Conclusion

Ripple has grown beyond a payment experiment; it’s a proven blockchain network powering real-world financial infrastructure. With renewed clarity around regulation and talk of an XRP ETF, 2025 could be a pivotal year for broader adoption. Suppose you’re ready to join the ecosystem and secure your XRP properly. In that case, the Tangem Wallet gives you a simple, secure, and self-custodial way to store and manage your assets — no seed phrase, no compromises, just actual ownership.