XRP has stood the test of time in the volatile world of cryptocurrency. For over a decade, it has weathered storms that would have dismantled lesser digital assets—regulatory crackdowns, market skepticism, and fierce competition. Yet, it remains resilient. Recently, Dan Tapiero, founder of 10T Holdings and a seasoned crypto investor, highlighted XRP’s endurance as one of its most impressive qualities.
“One very impressive thing about XRP is just how long it’s lasted, how many times it’s come under attack. It’s the Lindy effect—the longer it exists, the stronger it becomes,” Tapiero shared in an interview.
This sentiment captures the essence of XRP’s journey: survival through adversity, innovation through challenge, and growth through resilience.
The Lindy Effect in Action: Longevity Equals Strength
In probability theory, the Lindy effect suggests that the future life expectancy of certain non-perishable things—like technologies or ideas—is proportional to their current age. Applied to XRP, this means its decade-long presence in the crypto ecosystem isn’t just a footnote—it’s a signal of robustness.
Unlike many altcoins that rose and fell within a single market cycle, XRP has maintained relevance across multiple bull and bear markets. It wasn’t built for hype; it was engineered for utility. Designed for fast, low-cost international payments, XRP serves a clear purpose in global finance—one that continues to attract institutional interest.
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A History of Scrutiny and Survival
XRP’s path hasn’t been smooth. Ripple Labs, the company behind XRP’s development, has faced intense scrutiny from U.S. regulators. The most notable challenge came from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), which filed a lawsuit in 2020 alleging that XRP was an unregistered security.
The fallout was immediate: major U.S. exchanges like Coinbase and Kraken delisted XRP, limiting American access. For a time, the asset’s future seemed uncertain.
But rather than collapse, XRP adapted.
Outside the U.S., adoption continued to grow. Financial institutions in Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America began integrating Ripple’s payment solutions powered by XRP. The On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) system reduced settlement times from days to seconds and cut cross-border transaction costs by up to 70%.
And then came a pivotal moment: in July 2023, a U.S. federal judge ruled that XRP itself is not a security when sold to the general public—though Ripple’s institutional sales were deemed securities offerings. This partial victory re-energized the community and paved the way for relistings on major platforms.
Why “Made in America” Matters
While Bitcoin emerged from pseudonymous origins and Ethereum was launched internationally, XRP was developed by an American company—Ripple Labs—based in San Francisco. This U.S. foundation gives it a strategic advantage in today’s regulatory climate.
Dan Tapiero emphasized this point:
“It’s made in America. And with this administration, that matters.”
As global governments push for clearer crypto regulations, having a transparent, U.S.-based team with compliance at its core becomes a significant differentiator. Ripple has consistently engaged with regulators, advocated for clear frameworks, and invested in legal defense—not to evade oversight, but to operate within it.
This proactive stance contrasts sharply with projects that resist regulation or operate in legal gray zones. For institutional investors and traditional financial players, this level of accountability lowers risk and increases trust.
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Real-World Use Cases Driving Adoption
Beyond regulatory positioning, XRP thrives because it solves real problems.
Cross-Border Payments
Traditional international wire transfers can take 3–5 business days and cost upwards of $40 per transaction. With XRP and Ripple’s ODL system, banks and payment providers settle transactions in under 4 seconds for less than a penny.
Countries like Japan, South Korea, and the Philippines have seen rapid adoption due to high volumes of remittances. For migrant workers sending money home, faster settlements mean families receive funds faster—without losing value to fees.
Banking Integration
Over 500 financial institutions worldwide—including Santander, SBI Remit, and PNC Bank—have tested or deployed RippleNet solutions. These integrations don’t just improve speed; they enhance liquidity management and reduce reliance on nostro accounts.
CBDC Collaboration
Ripple is also working with central banks on central bank digital currencies (CBDCs). In 2023, the company completed a multi-node CBDC pilot with the Bank of Bhutan. Such partnerships position XRP not just as a speculative asset but as foundational infrastructure for next-generation monetary systems.
A Vision Backed by Early Believers
Dan Tapiero’s personal history with XRP adds depth to his endorsement. His early trades in Bitcoin and XRP were made through BitReserve (now Uphold), one of the first platforms to bridge fiat and crypto seamlessly.
His gold trading firm, Gold Bullion International (GBI), was among the first to allow users to exchange physical gold for Bitcoin and XRP—foreshadowing today’s tokenized asset trend.
At the time, XRP traded for a fraction of a cent. Now, it fluctuates around $2.00 during market peaks. Reflecting on his journey, Tapiero offers timeless advice:
“Just because you didn’t buy it at a tenth of a cent doesn’t mean you couldn’t buy it at one cent, or ten cents. If you believe in something, never give up on it.”
That philosophy resonates beyond XRP—it speaks to the heart of long-term investing in emerging technologies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Is XRP legal in the United States?
Yes. Following a 2023 court ruling, retail sales of XRP were determined not to be securities offerings. While Ripple faced penalties for institutional sales, individuals can legally buy, sell, and hold XRP on licensed exchanges.
Can XRP reach $10?
Price predictions vary widely. Achieving $10 would require massive adoption, favorable regulation, and increased demand from financial institutions. While not guaranteed, sustained utility growth makes such levels theoretically possible in a bullish macro environment.
How does XRP differ from Bitcoin?
Bitcoin is decentralized digital gold focused on scarcity and store-of-value use cases. XRP is optimized for speed and efficiency in payments, with transactions settling in seconds rather than minutes or hours.
Does XRP use blockchain technology?
Not in the traditional sense. XRP operates on the XRP Ledger (XRPL), a decentralized ledger that uses a consensus protocol instead of proof-of-work mining. This allows for faster processing and lower energy consumption.
What is On-Demand Liquidity (ODL)?
ODL is Ripple’s solution for cross-border payments using XRP as a bridge currency. It eliminates pre-funded accounts by converting fiat to XRP instantly during transfer, then back to local currency upon arrival.
The Road Ahead: Institutional Trust Meets Innovation
As digital assets mature, the market increasingly favors projects with clear use cases, regulatory clarity, and real-world integration. XRP checks all three boxes.
With growing momentum in fintech partnerships, central bank collaborations, and global remittance networks, XRP is no longer just surviving—it’s scaling.
Whether you’re an investor seeking long-term potential or a developer exploring payment infrastructure tools, XRP represents more than speculation. It represents progress—built in America, tested globally.