Last Updated on June 13, 2023

The world of cryptocurrency has been growing since its introduction and establishment. We see more cryptocurrencies being introduced to the market and more people becoming customers. Everyone wants to benefit from the cheap, secure, and fast ways to make transactions. 

This article will provide you with a step-by-step guide on where and how to buy XRP.

Where to buy XRP

It is good to find a broker or an exchange with a good reputation when considering XRP trading. 

A broker is an organization that processes the buying and selling of investments such as cryptocurrencies. 

Similarly, an exchange processes the purchasing and sales of cryptocurrencies. The main difference between a broker and an exchange platform is that brokerages have other investment options other than crypto. Digital currency exchanges are limited to crypto.

We have listed some of those below and why they are considered secure to purchase Ripple XRP.

eToro

eToro is considered the best broker to purchase XRP, specifically in the US and UK. Here are some of the reasons:

• It is approved and controlled by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
• Has above 20 million clients.
• Enables customers to buy XRP with low charges.
• Accepts a minimum investment of £22.
• Supports a variety of payment methods, including PayPal, Visa, MasterCard, Skrill, bank transfers, and more.
• The deposit fee is 0.5% on all payment methods.

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Capital.com

At Capital.com, you get to trade without having to pay a commission. They focus on what they call CFDs. This is an agreement to pay the crypto asset’s price difference now and when the contract ends. Here is how it works:

• They work under the strict supervision of their license with regulations that are stipulated by FCA and CySEC.
• Capital.com features a personalized news feed to its clients. The information each customer receives on this feed is unique and determined by customer preferences.
• When you buy XRP, you are not necessarily tied to it like other assets, you are investing it with the hopes of making a profit.
• The platform features live market updates and records the history of these in many different chart formats.
• You can access the site using a desktop, Android, and iOS.
• You get to make deposits and withdrawals for free.
• It does, however, have hidden fees, and a minimum deposit of £220 is required for bank transfers.

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Binance

Binance has over 100 million active accounts and is regarded as the best for asset diversity. 

• It offers almost all digital currencies, allowing traders to build a diverse cryptocurrency portfolio.
• It is the largest cryptocurrency platform globally and exchanges billions of dollars between clients daily.
• In some parts of the world, like the UK, you can buy XRP instantly through a debit or credit card.
• However, purchasing with a debit or credit card comes with 1.8% of the total XRP being purchased.
• In most cases, Binance can instantly verify your government-issued ID, which is required to open an account.
• This system also supports purchases made through the Faster Payment Network, which is quick and free.
• When buying XRP, you have to pay a commission of 0.10%.
• The platform also offers investment accounts where you save your crypto and earn interest.

Coinbase

Coinbase was launched in 2012 and is the recommended broker for beginners. This is because:

• It has plus 35 million traders.
• You can buy XRP in less than 15 minutes, inclusive of the registration process.
• It also supports debit card payments amongst other payment methods, 
• It ensures safety by requiring you to confirm a code sent to your mobile every time you log in. 
• Coinbase has a debit card of its own that Visa issues. This allows you to spend your money not only online but also in the real world.
• Additionally, they offer a secure wallet that you can access through your mobile phone and other devices to store XRP tokens.

Gemini 

Gemini is built for institutions, mainly financial institutions. The following are reasons why we think this platform is built for financial institutions:

• It has more features and power than an individual trader needs.
• According to research, retailers are more likely to lose than gain money on the platform.
• It has the speed, tools, and services institutional traders are used to.
• The best regulatory and security systems safeguard its traders.
• Offers different kinds of insurance, including crypto asset insurance.
• Gemini has advanced trading features only veteran traders would be familiar with.
• Allows traders to buy digital currency in greater volumes.
• You can first practice trading on the Gemini Sandbox before trading for real if you are a new trader.

OKEx

OKEx has above 20 million customers一making its liquidity sufficient. Here are some of the reasons you can consider buying XRP with them:

• It is an affordable broker that allows you to buy Ripple XRP in return for another digital asset.
• If you already own other digital currencies and want to buy XRP, you can make an exchange. 
• It is cheaper to make an exchange because the trading fees are very low. You pay a small blockchain fee plus a commission of 0.10%. Moreover, the larger the amount being exchanged, the smaller the costs.
• For XRP, OKEx allows you to exchange with Bitcoin, Ethereum, Tether, and more.

How to buy XRP

Is it your first time investing in digital currency? Do you want to trade XRP?

You can do this on the platforms listed above. It is mostly done the same or similar way. Before we explain how you can buy XRP, there are some things to consider before investing.

XRP is still restricted in some countries; as a result, it has been inaccessible on some platforms, including Coinbase and eToro. Some venues have specifically forbidden trading for customers from countries where XRP is illegal at. 

Also, when buying XRP or any other digital currency, crypto-to-crypto transactions are permanent. Always double-check if you are sending your funds to the correct account.

Try not to store large XRP amounts on a cryptocurrency exchange, as you might lose them due to cybercrime. Exchanges get hacked regularly, and when your coins are stolen, there are little or no chances of getting them back. Keep them on your mobile wallet, or even better, a hardware wallet like Ledger.

Once you have researched Ripple XRP and chosen a platform to buy, you can buy it. Here is a detailed step-by-step guide on how to buy XRP. 

Step 1: Choose a crypto broker 

To get the assurance that your XRP is safe, choose a crypto broker with good financial backing. You must be sure that it has a capital base of its own and is not dependent on your investment. This is to ensure that it doesn’t become bankrupt and shut down.

Additionally, its platform features should be advanced and easy to use, its business should be credible, and customer services that operate 24/7.

Step 2: How to register

You will then need to register. Most websites require your details to do so. They ask for your names (first and last), date of birth, contact details, and home address. 

Then you will most likely be asked to create a username and a strong password. For security reasons, a text message or email that contains a digit code will be sent to you. To confirm that it is you, you will have to enter that code first, even when making transactions. 

Once you are in, go to the drop-down menu, select “Fiat”, “Order”, or “Buy”.  Then select a buy crypto option. It might go straight to choosing the digital currency you want to invest in, in this case, choose XRP. Remember, the wording might differ according to the platform chosen, but the steps most likely navigate the same way. 

Also, when you buy XRP with other cryptos, your personal information during registration is enough. But, when you use cash, you will be asked for supporting documents to help verify your identity.

Step 3: Fund your account/ make a deposit

Once you have registered, it means that you have created an account. It now needs to be funded so that you are able to start trading. 

To make a deposit, click on payment type or payment method, then select the one you prefer to use from the ones offered.

Place your deposit amount. Remember that some, if not all, platforms have a minimum amount set for deposits. 

Step 4: Buy and trade XRP

Finally, now you can start trading. To make things easier, go to the cryptocurrencies section on the eToro website, find the search box and search for XRP, as this platform offers many digital currencies. 

Click on the result and then select trade. Enter the amount you would like to trade on the amount box, then click on open trade. 

After filling in the registration form, you can start trading XRP.

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How to choose a platform to buy XRP and what to consider

There are many platforms to access Ripple from, depending on where you live. Cryptocurrency traders are not too far apart in terms of design and the way they operate. Nevertheless, there are things to look out for when choosing a platform to trade digital currency.

Safety

Do not compromise on the safety of your funds. Make sure the broker you have chosen has a regulatory license with the necessary financial authorities. For instance, eToro is licensed by the FCA in the UK and other regulatory bodies in Australia and Cyprus. This is to ensure that you are using a trustworthy broker that takes client protection seriously. 

Additionally, when you use a regulated platform, you will also use fiat payment methods to purchase Ripple XRP. Unlicensed brokers do not accept debit cards, credit cards or bank transfers but digital currency. Such brokers use a third-party financial institution to process fiat deposits. Though this may be legal, it means you are risking your finances by trusting an unlicensed entity with them.

Other than the safety of your money, make sure that the platform has encryption protocols in place to protect your personal information. This is to make sure that no unauthorized parties are able to access it.

Fees

Make sure your broker has affordable fees for deposits, withdrawals, transfers and trading. You can also look for one that has “payment gateways”,一meaning it allows you to deposit and withdraw funds the way you like.

Customer Support

Find a broker that invests in good customer support so that when you come across problems on the platform, customer support personnel are accessible. Moreover, it should have proper trading facilities like leverage and margin trading. 

Currencies

There are more than 4,000 currencies available globally. The bigger traders can offer up to 150 of them, while smaller ones provide only the most popular like Bitcoin. When looking to invest on XRP, it is best to find a platform that offers a variety of currencies. 

Ease of use

As mentioned before, some apps have a lot of features that may be confusing or unnecessary for some users, specifically individual investors. Some can be tricky to navigate for people who aren’t tech-friendly and new crypto investors. Therefore it is important to look for a platform that suits your needs and accommodates you. For instance, if you are new, it should be beginner-friendly.

Research

Those looking to invest simultaneously educate themselves about cryptocurrencies; some platforms have learning centers; some even have a feature where you can first practice trading before doing the actual trading.

Extra earnings

Some platforms offer an interest=earning on your coins. Try to understand how that is done before you agree to it. There are usually two ways: It can loan out your money and share an interest or pay you to save your money for a certain period.

Location

Some platforms, specifically those that offer Ripple, cannot operate in some areas. Make sure you find one that works in yours and complies with UK regulations.

How can you sell XRP?

Selling your XRP tokens is mostly dependent on your location, what you have access to, and where you have stored your tokens. With that said, you can still use the same platforms we have suggested for buying Ripple XRP. 

If you have stored your XRP coins on a Ripple wallet, the first thing you need to do is transfer them to an exchange platform. This cryptocurrency exchange should be in support of Ripple XRP and the currency you are selling to. 

On the other hand, if your XRP coins were bought from an online broker and kept there, it becomes easier to cash them out. You only have to transfer them within your portfolio then withdraw them wherever you would like.

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How to store XRP

When planning on buying digital assets, you have to open a wallet to store them. There are two types of wallets, a cold and an online wallet. A cold wallet is designed to keep large sums of cryptocurrencies, while with an online wallet, you can store coins you would like to spend easily. 

Both wallets’ main functions are to store, send and receive digital currencies. Though a cold wallet is physically available and the online one is web-based, they often offer exchange services. 

Remember that keeping your XRP tokens in a brokerage platform is not safe. You can easily lose them without a trace and no way of getting them back. For this reason, it is vital to store them in a wallet. You can check which one is more appropriate for your needs below.

• Online/web wallets

Also referred to as hot wallets, online wallets are more convenient for small amounts you will use. For instance, if you are planning to trade about 5 of your XRP tokens regularly, rather keep them in a hot wallet.

The following are examples:

• Ripple Wallet

This is more like a bank account for XRP. To prevent spam attacks, you are required to lock 20 XRP away, which you won’t have access to until the wallet is inactive. 

• eToro Cryptocurrency Wallet

This can be installed or accessed through iOS and Android devices. It supports more than 150 currencies, including XRP. It is secure, and you can use your eToro login details to access your cons. You can also exchange within the wallet.

• Binance Trust Wallet

Binance has more advanced wallet features and supports more than 500 digital currencies. Making an exchange is simple as this wallet works with BinanceDEX. It also features DeFi, a marketplace with apps that will help you earn interest on your coins. They also assist you in staking your tokens to a blockchain.

• Other online wallets

There are many other online wallets; however, you can try Exodus or Mycelium if you are looking for a beginner-friendly one. 

They are great if you are looking for nothing more than a secure place to store your cryptocurrency. Their compatibility with hardware wallets means even stronger security for your assets.

• Cold wallets

 A cold wallet is a piece of hardware, like a USB. This kind of wallet is kept offline with encrypted passwords. This is to make sure that only the owner can access it.

This makes these kinds of wallets relatively safer. In order to own one, you have to buy it, and it costs around £45 and £132. An example we could find for you is:

• Ledger Nano S

It looks like a USB card, and its functions are to assist you in securing, buying, and growing your digital currency.

What you need to know about XRP 

• Ripple XRP is the 7th largest cryptocurrency and one of the globally used blockchain-based payments after Bitcoin.
• It is impossible to mine XRP because the XRP Ledger already creates about 100 billion tokens which are regularly released into circulation. However, you can mine other coins like Bitcoin and Ethereum then exchange them for XRP. This is a costly process as it exhausts capital. It would help if you had specialized mining equipment, and it consumes a lot of electricity. 
• The XRP price has been rapidly changing since its establishment. It stayed one cent for many years of trading, then drastically increased to above £2.94 at the end of 2017 till the beginning of 2018. Right after that, Ripple and Bitcoin crashed. Its price remained below $0.50 per coin throughout 2018. In 2020, it was valued at under £0.17. Nevertheless, Ripple kept its spot as 3rd most valued after Bitcoin and Ethereum. Then it eventually increased and is now valued at £1,43 in 2021. 
• Several Ripple ATMs exist around the world. You can use them to buy Ripple XRP by:
  • Entering the amount you would like to purchase with.
  • The ATM will tell you how many tokens you will get for that amount.
  • Then insert cash into the machine.
  • Finally, the machine will print out a receipt. Collect it to find the details on how to claim XRP.
• SWIFT processes most interbank transactions on Ripple (the network). This is a third-party financial institution mediating between sender and receiver. This is costly for the other two parties involved as it takes days to access their payments. However, XRP (the currency) is different as it operates in real-time. Payments are made and received in seconds, making it cheaper to trade XRP.
• Since the total tokens supplied by XRP are 100 billion, about 46% of them are circulating. This means that the remaining 54% are with Ripple一making it the majority holder of XRP.
• The Ripple system is more advantageous to banks as it offers distributed ledgers, pricing and security.

Conclusion

Ripple XRP is cheap, fast, and easy to buy. Brokerages, exchanges, and wallets that support XRP offer ways to grow your tokens. Nevertheless, it is important to do thorough research before entering the cryptocurrency market. Remember that investing is a risk, meaning that with advantages come disadvantages. 

It is essential to find a licensed platform to trade XRP. Remember that with an unlicensed entity, you can’t hold anyone accountable for lost funds. Also, try not to leave large amounts of your XRP on the trading platform because you might lose them and never get them back. That is why there are wallets, the hardware being for larger amounts you’d like to keep, while the web-based is for the money you’ll constantly use.

Another thing to remember is that cryptocurrency values are unpredictable; their prices are influenced by market supply and demand. 

With that said, if you are looking to buy Ripple XRP, there are many ways to do so. It depends on whether you are a business or an individual looking to invest or exchange; there are platforms available to access XRP that will suit your needs. Not only can you purchase and store them online, but you can also make use of cold wallets. There’s also the possibility to buy XRP tokens on Ripple ATMs if they are available in your country.

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FAQ

What is XRP?

Ripple XRP is a digital currency that has been gradually increasing since its creation by Ripple Labs. It was launched in 2012, and in 2017, it rose 40 times in value. XRP is a web-based currency that is part of the Ripple system. Some people refer to XRP as Ripple. However, they are not necessarily the same, as Ripple's the name of the system, while XRP is the cryptocurrency - sometimes called Ripple or Ripple XRP.

Ripple is a network that allows cheap and quick international transactions. Its goal is to set people free from banks and other financial institutions that enforce fees and delay payments. Ripple XRP is not in competition with other cryptocurrencies such as Bitcoin. Bitcoin was made as a substitute to real money. On the other hand, Ripple is a bank-like system with an exclusive currency, which is XRP.

To grow, Ripple invests in its market by partnering with businesses and financial institutions around the world. These institutions sign up to use Ripple XRP, helping to increase the value of Ripple.

Where can I store XRP?

There are two types of wallets to store XRP, a cold or hardware wallet and a hot or online wallet. Cold wallets are kept offline and therefore safer to keep large sums of XRP. Online wallets are convenient to keep funds you will want to use regularly.

Is XRP a good investment?

The price of XRP is very low, XRP is the third-most valued digital currency after Bitcoin and Ethereum and XRP is the seventh biggest cryptocurrency globally. It shows potential to grow in the future, therefore it's good to buy it while it’s still cheap.

How do I differentiate a brokerage from an exchange platform?

An exchange only facilitates crypto-to-crypto purchases and sales. A broker is an investment platform that allows purchases and sales of cryptocurrencies and other types of investments.