<p>Ripple is trying to replace SWIFT, the protocol for inter-bank transfers. To me it makes sense because, those systems are (according to my understanding) quite antiquated. So blockchain hype has provided the impetus for banks to consider trying something new such as Ripple. It was started by the guy who created MtGox.</p>

<p>Bitcoin is a mechanism for exchanging value online between any two (or more) persons who have accounts and something to trade. </p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-28T22:40:23.377Z
2016-10-28T22:40:23.377Z
smatthewenglish
<p>There's nothing in common, essentially.
Ripple is a simulacrum of Bitcoin repeating some of its external features, adding naive stuff like gravatars and missing the basics: immutability, independence from human factor, and any appeal to general public which is needed for any social-engineering tool to take off.</p>

<p><a href="https://medium.com/@Knowledger/the-blockchain-is-already-beautiful-please-dont-create-your-own-89b13dd35793#.trgkqp6lz" rel="nofollow">https://medium.com/@Knowledger/the-blockchain-is-already-beautiful-please-dont-create-your-own-89b13dd35793#.trgkqp6lz</a></p>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-30T11:43:02.100Z
Linked article is by answerer and doesn't mention Ripple…
Murch
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-31T19:55:24.400Z
1) It's not accurate to say that Bitcoin is independent from human factors - for example, who decides whether a softfork is implemented? Humans. 2) Why is Bitcoin's colored coin system better than Ripple's asset issuance system?
Nick ODell
CC BY-SA 3.0
2016-10-28T21:25:33.383Z
2016-10-28T21:25:33.383Z
Alex Kontegna
<p>This is answered in the <a href="https://ripple.com/wiki/Introduction_to_Ripple_for_Bitcoiners">official wiki</a>:</p>

<blockquote>
  <p>Like Bitcoin:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>ripple is a distributed peer-to-peer payment network</li>
  <li>ripple transactions are irreversible, sent over the Internet, and counterfeit proof</li>
  <li>ripple uses the same underlying cryptography as Bitcoin</li>
  <li>ripple has multi-signature support</li>
  <li>ripple has low to no transaction fees</li>
  <li>ripple servers can be run by anyone</li>
  </ul>
  
  <p>Unlike Bitcoin:</p>
  
  <ul>
  <li>ripple can send any currency</li>
  <li>ripple can automatically exchange currencies</li>
  <li>ripple transactions are fully confirmed in seconds</li>
  <li>ripple allows nicknames and gravatar icons for accounts</li>
  <li>ripple's reference client is a Firefox and Chrome add on</li>
  <li>ripple has no block chain download, clients are ready in seconds</li>
  <li>ripple has no mining or direct monetary reward for running a ripple server</li>
  <li>ripple has no currency risk as people can hold whatever fiat they want</li>
  <li>ripple solves the double spending problem with consensus instead of proof-of-work</li>
  </ul>
</blockquote>

CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-04T08:51:17.247Z
I wish that there were more technical details.  How did they get around proof-of-work?  How did they get around block chain download?
Eyal
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-05-04T09:08:45.633Z
@Eyal I've linked the wiki, did you try to search there for details?
o0'.
CC BY-SA 3.0
2013-02-11T10:16:05.450Z
2013-05-01T17:00:35.750Z
2013-05-01T17:00:35.750Z
o0'.
<p>What is <a href="https://ripple.com/">Ripple</a>, and how does the system compare to Bitcoin?</p>

<ripple><currencies><architecture>
What is Ripple and how does it compare to Bitcoin?
ThePiachu
# What is Ripple and how does it compare to Bitcoin?

(Asked by: username_0 on 2013-02-11)

What is [Ripple](https://ripple.com/), and how does the system compare to Bitcoin?

**Tags:** ripple, currencies, architecture


---

## 3 answers

### Answer by username_5 on 2013-02-11. Score: 18 | Accepted answer

This is answered in the [official wiki](https://ripple.com/wiki/Introduction_to_Ripple_for_Bitcoiners):

> Like Bitcoin:
>
> * ripple is a distributed peer-to-peer payment network
> * ripple transactions are irreversible, sent over the Internet, and counterfeit proof
> * ripple uses the same underlying cryptography as Bitcoin
> * ripple has multi-signature support
> * ripple has low to no transaction fees
> * ripple servers can be run by anyone
>
> Unlike Bitcoin:
>
> * ripple can send any currency
> * ripple can automatically exchange currencies
> * ripple transactions are fully confirmed in seconds
> * ripple allows nicknames and gravatar icons for accounts
> * ripple's reference client is a Firefox and Chrome add on
> * ripple has no block chain download, clients are ready in seconds
> * ripple has no mining or direct monetary reward for running a ripple server
> * ripple has no currency risk as people can hold whatever fiat they want
> * ripple solves the double spending problem with consensus instead of proof-of-work

> **Comments:**
> **username_6**: I wish that there were more technical details.  How did they get around proof-of-work?  How did they get around block chain download?  
> **username_5**: @username_6 I've linked the wiki, did you try to search there for details?  

---

### Answer by username_1 on 2016-10-28. Score: 4

Ripple is trying to replace SWIFT, the protocol for inter-bank transfers. To me it makes sense because, those systems are (according to my understanding) quite antiquated. So blockchain hype has provided the impetus for banks to consider trying something new such as Ripple. It was started by the guy who created MtGox.

Bitcoin is a mechanism for exchanging value online between any two (or more) persons who have accounts and something to trade.


---

### Answer by username_2 on 2016-10-28. Score: -1

There's nothing in common, essentially.
Ripple is a simulacrum of Bitcoin repeating some of its external features, adding naive stuff like gravatars and missing the basics: immutability, independence from human factor, and any appeal to general public which is needed for any social-engineering tool to take off.

<https://medium.com/@Knowledger/the-blockchain-is-already-beautiful-please-dont-create-your-own-89b13dd35793#.trgkqp6lz>

> **Comments:**
> **username_3**: Linked article is by answerer and doesn't mention Ripple…  
> **username_4**: 1) It's not accurate to say that Bitcoin is independent from human factors - for example, who decides whether a softfork is implemented? Humans. 2) Why is Bitcoin's colored coin system better than Ripple's asset issuance system?  

---

