I've been a lot into crypto currencies lately, in fact it's not even a full month passed since I've started my investment adventures into crypto currencies.
For crypto investments I've a verified coinbase.com account and right now coinbase offers to buy just following three crypto currencies by VISA card - bitcoin, ethereum and litecoin, unfortunately there is no support yet for ripple. To buy XRP at coinbase you will need at first buy BTC, then exchange it on Poloniex.com or some other exchange. Although seems there are some exchanges that offer to buy XRP directly, as I haven't tested them out, I cannot say for sure.
Remember your capital is at risk, never invest capital you cannot afford to loose!
I've bought all three currencies available now on coinbase this month, and frankly speaking I've a little clue what's behind scenes, I'm just into the rush for the next big thing, though at one time from my short crypto investor carrier I've lost more than 50% in total value. That should be a bold warning for you - crypto currencies are volatile. So don't take further written as advice or something, as I'm already losing money in crypto investments. I keep investing because of one reason - I believe there is a future for crypto currencies and their value will appreciate.
Answering on question why I rushed to buy Ripple (XRP) crypto currency - FOMO - fears of missing out and Diversification.
Let me explain, buying bitcoin at $2,706, ethereum at $222.48 or litecoin at $43.39 (exchange rates as of writing this article) is expensive. Sure, bitcoin could surge to $10,000 in a few years (there are tons of positive forecasts for crypto currencies, just check them out on reddit) and you could double, tipple or even quadruple your investment. But if you are limited with funds to allocate for crypto currencies, the best bet would be probably to use dollar-cost averaging approach and by little amount of coins each month.
$0.19 for XRP, seems a reasonable price to enter and acquire a lot of coins with little investment. If XRP price will skyrocket, so do will your investment.
I bought 282 XRP coins for about EUR 50 (I had to buy bitcoins at start, then exchange BTC to XRP). My plan is to buy and hold for a long term (at least until the end of 2020), I cannot predict price for ripple, bitcoin, ethereum, litecoin or any other crypto currency, I see there are two scenarios, either they will go to the moon or thew will doom.
With a small investment at EUR 50 I don't feel concerned about negative outcome, I will loose just EUR 50 or more if I wil acquire more coins in coming months, if XRP will appreciate I see there high returns. Simple.
About Ripple
Ripple is a venture-backed startup that provides global financial settlement solutions that reduce the total cost of settlement by enabling banks to transact directly and instantly, while ensuring certainty. It aims to "enable the world to exchange value like it already exchanges information – giving rise to an Internet of Value (IoV).” Read more: Ripple Is Up 3800%: Should You Be Buying?
XRP is currently the third largest cryptocurrency in terms of market capitalization; with almost $10 billion in market capitalization, it accounts for roughly around 9% of the cryptocurrency market. Its price has gone up from $0.006684 in the beginning of 2017 to $0.258368, an increase of over 38x.