What's the difference between XRP and stablecoins like RLUSD? RLUSD is optional. XRP isn't. RLUSD is a dollar-backed token issued by Ripple. As the issuer, Ripple has to follow US law and can freeze RLUSD. XRP has no issuer and no jurisdiction, and nobody can freeze it. It's a commodity. XRP also has a privileged role on the XRP Ledger. Every account can hold it by default, and everyone has to use it: accounts need an XRP reserve, and every transaction fee is paid in XRP. RLUSD you have to opt into it (TRUST-line). On top of that, the DEX automatically checks whether bridging through XRP gives a better rate on a cross-currency swap (e.g. USD → EUR). No other asset gets that by default. Another important difference: XRP is volatile. Like any commodity, it isn't backed by anything, so its price is whatever the market says it is. That volatility is exactly what attracts traders and investors. RLUSD is the opposite: 1 RLUSD = 1 USD. Just from this we can already see that different use cases gravitate towards each asset. Whenever you need stable value for payroll, invoices etc, don't hold a volatile asset like XRP. Price swings shouldn't decide whether you can fund your operations. Stablecoins for any national currency fit here, and RLUSD is one of many even among the dollar stablecoins. Whenever you need a neutral asset that nobody controls, not even a government, and you want to reduce your counterparty risk, XRP is the only choice on the XRP Ledger. There is no alternative. Turns out these properties also make XRP very attractive to market makers bridging pools of liquidity. They only have to worry about XRP's price, not whether the issuer of some token runs into trouble. The more successful the XRP Ledger becomes, the more accepted XRP becomes and to make it successful we leverage our strengths and the things we are good at. This includes the activity of stablecoins and other assets.
I know many people feel very discouraged because of the market conditions. And i have absolutely zero doubt that we'll bounce back so much stronger than before with all the hard work that is being put in. Don’t let your emotions take over. That leads to opposing XRP Ledger adoption, putting XRP and XRPL issued assets against each other, asking executives for help and ultimately heading down the path of division. Everything that has happened so far is exactly what you want to see in order to push XRP and the XRP Ledger as the trusted settlement layer for all kinds of value that exists in the world. Including dollars with RLUSD, USDC or Brazilian Real etc. Bringing use cases to the XRP Ledger and making it the desired settlement and custody blockchain is only good for XRP. The pie of activity and volume by using everything the XRP Ledger has to offer including issued assets is so much bigger than any siloed use case. We are making full use of the XRP Ledger. And that's exactly what I want to see as an XRP holder, XRPL infrastructure operator and contributor.
I run now an Interledger Dassie node (https://t.co/2NOFPPphoQ) connected to XRP Ledger test net and Stefan Thomas's other Dassie nodes. I also made my first payment using Interledger with the XRP Ledger as a settlement and custody layer, Payment ID: 7337939f-4d84-48d5-b3f9-41eda443a2c4 He'll present today at Ripple Swell about Dassie, Payments, Interledger and the XRPL.
The secret sauce of the XRP Ledger is the community that makes it happen. When you see the pictures, posts, videos from Ripple Swell and other XRP events it's touching to see that behind the code, transactions and wallets it's all human connections. I have full faith in this community its builders, users, holders, institutions, and the curious who keep joining us every day to lead the way to a next gen financial infra. Not alone, but as one industry and movement together. You can't help but feel part of something far bigger than yourself.
@XRP Ledger Privacy is the alpha !!! It's coming through the door first with XLS-96 currently up for voting, for transfer amount privacy but then the journey is: - Private accounts (who paid who not visible) - Private Lending on XRP - Private DEX trading on XRP 😳 All of this always with selective disclosure capabilities so institutions can utilize confidentiality/privacy without violating their compliance!