Here’s Why XRP Will Be Bigger and Better Than Bitcoin

By Rich Duprey Published Aug 1, 11:08AM EDT

Key Points in This Article:

XRP (XRP) is designed for fast, low-cost global payments, settling transactions in 3 to 5 seconds for pennies, unlike Bitcoin’s (BTC) slower, costlier network.
Businesses like MoneyGram, SBI Remit, and Flutterwave use XRP for real cross-border transactions, while Bitcoin is mostly held for price gains.
XRP’s focus on institutional payments and partnerships with banks positions it to transform global finance, outpacing Bitcoin’s speculative appeal.

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Here’s Why XRP Will Be Bigger and Better Than Bitcoin — © Stanslavs / Shutterstock.com

A World of Difference

Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin (CRYPTO:BTC) and XRP (CRYPTO:XRP) are digital money, but they work differently. Bitcoin is famous, often seen as digital gold that people buy and hold, hoping its price will soar. XRP is built for a different purpose: to make global payments faster and cheaper, especially for banks and businesses.

While Bitcoin grabs headlines, XRP is quietly powering real-world transactions. Here’s why XRP could outshine Bitcoin in impact and growth.

XRP Solves Real-World Problems

Bitcoin is slow and expensive for everyday transactions. Sending Bitcoin can take minutes or hours and cost dollars in fees, making it impractical for buying a coffee or paying bills. On the other hand, XRP — created by Ripple — is lightning-fast and cheap. Transactions settle in 3 to 5 seconds for less than a penny. This speed and low cost make XRP perfect for big players like banks sending money across borders.

For example, when someone sends dollars from the U.S. to Mexico, banks usually take days and charge high fees. XRP acts like a bridge (it’s called a “bridge currency”), instantly turning dollars into XRP, moving it overseas, and converting it to pesos. This saves time and money.

Companies like MoneyGram have used XRP in the past to send millions of dollars this way, proving it works.

Businesses Are Already Using XRP

Unlike Bitcoin, which is mostly held by people hoping for price gains, XRP is actively used by businesses. Ripple’s network, called RippleNet, helps banks and payment companies use XRP for international transfers.

In Japan, SBI Remit sends money to places like the Philippines using XRP. In Africa, fintech Flutterwave helps businesses pay globally with XRP’s help. Even Santander (NYSE:SAN | SAN Price Prediction), a major bank, has tested XRP for payments between the UK and Mexico.

These real transactions show XRP isn’t just an idea — it’s a tool businesses rely on. Arguably, Bitcoin’s most famous transaction was a 2010 pizza purchase: Laszlo Hanyecz spent 10,000 BTC for two large Papa John’s pizzas. It was the first time something of value was paid for with cryptocurrency. However, had Hanyecz held onto those bitcoin, they would be worth more than $1 billion today.

XRP users, though, don’t regret spending it; they use it because it’s practical, not a lottery ticket.

Hand is turning a dice and changes the direction of an arrow symbolizing that the value of the crypto currency Ripple (XRP) is going up (or vice versa)

Global Payments, Not Speculation

Bitcoin’s value comes from people betting it will keep rising, like a stock. XRP’s value comes from its job: making global payments smoother. Ripple works with banks and governments, like the Dubai Land Department, to use XRP for things like real estate deals.

According to Cryptopolitan, weekly payments on Ripple’s network have increased by more than 430% in less than two years. It cites data from Dune Analytics showing weekly payment transactions on the network moved from around 1.5 million in 2023 to over 8 million this year.

While Bitcoin’s network struggles with high fees during busy times, XRP’s system — the XRP Ledger — can handle thousands of transactions per second. This makes it ready for the future, when global trade needs fast, reliable digital money.

XRP isn’t trying to replace Bitcoin as a store of value — it’s aiming to be the backbone of international finance.

Challenges Don’t Stop XRP’s Potential

XRP isn’t perfect. Some banks prefer traditional systems, and a past SEC lawsuit against Ripple slowed its growth temporarily. But the lawsuit formally ended in March when the SEC dropped its appeal, clearing XRP’s path. Plus, XRP is gaining traction in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where fast payments matter most.

Unlike Bitcoin, which few merchants accept, XRP’s strength lies in its partnerships with big institutions.

Why XRP Could Surpass Bitcoin

Bitcoin’s fame comes from being first, but XRP’s future lies in solving real problems. It’s faster, cheaper, and already used by businesses worldwide. While Bitcoin holders dream of riches, XRP is busy moving money for banks and fintechs.

As global trade grows, XRP’s role could make it more impactful than Bitcoin, not just in price but in changing how the world pays.

About the Author Rich Duprey →

After two decades of patrolling the dark corners of suburbia as a police officer, Rich Duprey hung up his badge and gun to begin writing full time about stocks and investing. For the past 20 years he’s been cruising the markets looking for companies to lock up as long-term holdings in a portfolio while writing extensively on the broad sectors of consumer goods, technology, and industrials. Because his experience isn’t from the typical financial analyst track, Rich is able to break down complex topics into understandable and useful action points for the average investor. His writings have appeared on The Motley Fool, InvestorPlace, Yahoo! Finance, and Money Morning. He has been interviewed for both U.S. and international publications, including MarketWatch, Financial Times, Forbes, Fast Company, and USA Today.