Based in the US and looking to invest in Ripple (XRP)? If so, this popular digital currency can be purchased from a select range of online brokers and exchanges. You do, however, need to do some research to ensure you choose a secure and regulated platform that offers low fees.
In this guide, we walk you through the process of how to invest in XRP in the US and which brokers you should consider when completing your purchase.
#1 Broker to Invest in Ripple – eToro
How To Invest in XRP – Choose a Broker
Although Ripple is a multi-billion dollar asset class – many of the leading US-based cryptocurrency brokers have chosen not to list it. This is because many providers believe that XRP is not a decentralized token. Nevertheless, below you will find a selection of platforms that do allow you to invest in XRP in the US.
- eToro – Overall Place to Invest in Ripple in the US
- Coinmama – User-Friendly Broker to Invest in XRP
- Kraken – Reputable Exchange for Investing in Ripple
By scrolling down you will find a full review of each Ripple broker listed above.
How to Invest in Ripple (XRP) – A Quick Guide For 2021
If you’re wondering how to invest in XRP in the fastest way possible – check out the quickfire guide outlined below.
- Step 1: Open an Account with eToro – Approved by FINRA and the SEC, eToro is the best low-cost broker that allows you to invest in Ripple in the US. Opening an account takes minutes and will simply require some basic personal information.
- Step 2: Upload Your ID – You can get your eToro account verified in under two minutes by uploading a copy of your government-issued ID.
- Step 3: Deposit Funds – The minimum deposit at eToro is just $50 and you will not be charged any transaction fees. Choose from debit/credit card, Paypal, Neteller, or local bank wire.
- Step 4: Invest in Ripple – Once you have made a deposit, you can then search for ‘XRP’. After clicking on the ‘Trade’ button, enter the amount you wish to invest in Ripple. Finally, confirm the order by clicking on the ‘Open Trade’ button.
And that’s it – in under 10 minutes you have learned how to invest in Ripple in the US! Looking for a more comprehensive walkthrough of how to invest in XRP? If so, you will find a comprehensive tutorial further down in this guide.
Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products. Proceed at your own risk.
Where to Invest in Ripple
Choosing the right broker or exchange when learning how to invest in Ripple in the US is crucial. After all, not only do you need to ensure that the platform is safe and secure, but that you will be able to invest with low fees. You should also look at wallet options and whether or not your preferred payment method is supported.
We have done the hard work for you by reviewing the very best platforms allowing you to invest in XRP in the US.
1. eToro – Overall Best Place to Invest in Ripple US
We found that eToro is a clear winner when it comes to the best place to invest in Ripple in the US. Before we get to the specifics of fees and payments, we should note that eToro is a heavily regulated brokerage. Not only is it regulated and authorized by financial bodies in the UK, Australia, and Europe, but eToro is registered and approved by the SEC and FINRA. Crucially, this ensures that you can invest in Ripple in the US without needing to worry about the safety of your capital.
In addition to its regulatory standing, eToro has a great reputation in the online brokerage arena. In fact, the platform is now used by over 20 million investors from around the world – many of which are US-based. In terms of how to invest in XRP at eToro, you will first need to go through a quick registration and KYC process. We found that this can be completed in under 10 minutes. All that is required is some basic personal information and a copy of your government-issued ID – which eToro will validate instantly.
Then, you can proceed to make a deposit into your eToro account. Unlike the other XRP brokers and exchanges that we will be reviewing today, eToro doesn’t charge any deposit fees to US clients. This is in stark contrast to platforms like Coinmama – which charge well in excess of 5%. eToro offers this 0% deposit fee structure on all supported payment types – which includes debit and credit cards, e-wallets like Paypal and Neteller, and local bank transfers.
The minimum deposit amount for US clients is just $50, albeit, you can invest just $25 into Ripple should you wish. This means that you can use the remaining balance to invest in an alternative digital currency – of which eToro supports many. This includes large-cap cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin, Ethereum, Litecoin, Dogecoin, EOS, Cardano, and Bitcoin Cash. If you’re interested in lower-cap cryptocurrencies, you will find everything from AAVE, Basic Attention Token, and Spark to Shiba Inu, Decentraland, and Algorand.
All supported cryptocurrencies – including that of XRP, can be bought and sold on a spread-only basis. For those unaware of this term, this simply means that instead of paying a commission – your trading fee is determined by the gap between the ‘ask’ and ‘bid’ price. At eToro, cryptocurrency spreads start at just 0.75%. What we also like is that eToro supports fractional cryptocurrency investments. This means that you can buy a fraction of one digital token as long as you meet the $25 minimum.
One of the best features that we came across when reviewing the eToro platform is that of its social and copy trading tools. The latter allows you to select an investor that uses the eToro website to trade. Then, after deciding how much you wish to invest, all future positions executed by the trader will be copied in your own eToro portfolio. This means that you can actively trade cryptocurrencies in a passive manner. Social trading tools at eToro allow you to communicate with other investors – which includes the ability to ‘Like’ comments and post new threads.
Pros
- Invest in cryptocurrencies on a spread-only basis
- Minimum investment per trade from just $25
- Supports debit/credit cards, e-wallets, and local bank transfers
- Registered with FINRA/SEC and regulated by the FCA, CySEC, and ASIC
- Minimum deposit of $50 and no transaction fees for US citizens
- Used by over 20 million people
- Perfect for beginners
- Social and copy trading tools
Cons
- Perhaps too basic for technical traders
- No support for MT4 or MT5
Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products. Proceed at your own risk.
2. Coinmama – User-Friendly Broker to Invest in XRP
The next platform to consider when learning how to invest in XRP in the US is Coinmama. This online cryptocurrency broker comes with several benefits and drawbacks – all of which need to be considered before you proceed. Starting with the positives, Coinmama offers a simple and burden-free way of investing in Ripple. The platform is clean and easy on the eye – so it’s a great option for those of you that will be invested in digital tokens for the very first time.
Additionally, Coinmama supports debit and credit card payments, which adds to the ease with which you can invest. You will first need to register an account by supplying Coinmama with some personal information and contact details. You will also need to go through a KYC process – which requires a copy of your government-issued ID and a selfie of you holding the respective documents. Once you’ve got the registration and verification process out of the way – you can then invest in XRP.
What we like about the process at Coinmama is that you can complete your purchase on a direct basis with your debit or credit card. This means that it is just a case of specifying how much Ripple you want to buy – alongside your card details, and Coinmama will execute the purchase immediately. However, there are some drawbacks that need to be considered too. First and foremost, Coinmama doesn’t allow you to store your XRP tokens on the platform itself.
On the contrary, you will need to enter your Ripple wallet address at the time of the purchase. Then, Coinmama will automatically transfer the XRP to the stated wallet. While this might be sufficient for those of you with a bit of experience in how crypto wallets work – the process can be intimidating for newbies. The second – and perhaps the biggest drawback is that Coinmama charges very high fees. For instance, you will pay an average buy commission of 5% – which is only reduced when you trade large volumes.
Furthermore, you will also pay a debit/credit card fee of 5% – which is in addition to the aforementioned commission. Then, if you decide to use Coinmama to sell your XRP tokens back to dollars, you will incur a fee of 3.90%. All in all, these charges make Coinmama one of the most expensive in this space. With that said, the fee structure implemented by Coinmama hasn’t stopped the platform from growing – as it is still one of the most popular brokers to invest in XRP.
Pros
- Easy to use platform
- Buy crypto directly with a debit or credit card
- KYC process is fairly simple
- Plenty of supported digital tokens
- Good reputation
Cons
- Super expensive fees
- Forced to withdraw crypto to a private wallet
at eToro, #1 Broker in the US
Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products. Proceed at your own risk.
3. Kraken – Reputable Exchange for Investing in Ripple
The next option that you might want to consider when investing in XRP is Kraken. This popular cryptocurrency exchange has a great reputation in this space. The platform hosts dozens of digital token pairs alongside more complex derivative products. In terms of buying XRP in the US, you have several options at your disposal. The most cost-effective is to initiate a wire transfer, which is free. This can, however, take a few days to arrive.
You will then pay a small commission of 0.26% to invest in Ripple with the funds you deposited. ACH deposits are also supported, albeit, this comes with a higher transaction fee of 1.7% + $0.10. If you want to invest in XRP instantly, Kraken does support debit and credit cards. However, it charges a fee of 3.75% per transaction – which is expensive. You can also deposit funds in the form of cryptocurrency – should you currently hold some tokens.
For instance, if you own Bitcoin or Ethereum, you can use Kraken to swap the tokens into XRP. In terms of user-friendliness, the main Kraken website is relatively easy on the eye. It should only take you a few minutes to register – but you will need to upload some KYC documents before you have unfettered access to the spot trading markets. You can also download the Kraken app – which is available on both iOS and Android devices. This will allow you to buy and sell crypto on the move.
Pros
- Popular cryptocurrency exchange and broker
- Great selection of cryptocurrencies
- Supports both crypto-cross and fiat-to-crypto pairs
- Accepts debit/credit cards and bank transfers
- Offers complex crypto instruments for experienced traders
Cons
- Not all US states are supported
- Fees are somewhat pricey
at eToro, #1 Broker in the US
Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products. Proceed at your own risk.
How to Invest in Ripple in the US – Detailed & Explained in Full
If this is your first time investing in Ripple – or any cryptocurrency for that matter, then you might require a more detailed and explained walkthrough on how to get started. If so, below we show you how to open an account with eToro – an online broker that allows you to invest in XRP with 0% deposit fees. The broker is heavily regulated, so you can be sure you are investing in Ripple safely and securely.
Step 1: Open a Ripple Investment Account
You will first need to open an account on the eToro website, which will initially require your first and last name, alongside a username and password. You will also need to enter your mobile number, email address, and date of birth.
Additional details include your home address and social security number. Finally, verify your cell phone number by entering the code that eToro sends to you via SMS.
Cryptoassets are highly volatile unregulated investment products. Proceed at your own risk.
Step 2: Upload ID
To get your eToro account verified, you will need to upload a copy of your government-issued ID. Additionally, you will need to upload a document that validates your home address.
This can be a utility bill or bank account statement – alongside a number of other supporting documents. Unlike traditional brokers – which can take several days to verify your documents, eToro is usually able to do this electronically in under two minutes.
Step 3: Deposit Funds
Now you can proceed to make a deposit into your eToro account. You can choose from a wide variety of supported payment methods – such as a debit/credit card, Paypal, Neteller, Skrill, WebMoney, or bank wire.
There are no deposit fees for US clients – irrespective of the payment method used. The minimum deposit is just $50.
Step 4: Search for XRP
With a fully-funded account, you can now invest in XRP. To go straight to the Ripple trading page, search for ‘XRP’ and click on the ‘Trade’ button.
Step 5: Invest in XRP
You should now see an order box appear on-screen – like in the image below. This requires you to enter the amount of money that you wish to invest in XRP – as opposed to the specific number of tokens. For instance, if you want to invest $50 – you will be buying $50 worth of XRP.
To complete your investment, simply click on the ‘Open Trade’ button. And that’s it – you’ve just invested in XRP on a spread-only basis at eToro. The tokens that you have just purchased can be found in your eToro portfolio – and they will remain there until you decide to cash out.
How to Sell Ripple in the US
At some point in the future, you will likely want to cash out your Ripple investment. The process involved is actually very simple if you followed our walkthrough by investing via eToro. As noted above, this is because the XRP tokens will remain in your portfolio until you are ready to sell.
When the time does arise, all you need to do is click on the ‘Sell’ button located next to ‘XRP’. Once you confirm, eToro will execute your sell order at the next best available price. The amount will then be reflected in your eToro balance – which you can withdraw at any time.
Ways to Invest in Ripple
There are several ways to invest in Ripple in the US – so it’s worth spending some time assessing what your options are before you proceed. These options are discussed in more detail below:
Cryptocurrency Broker
The easiest way to invest in Ripple in the US is through an online broker. The best providers in this space are regulated and safe – so you can invest without needing to worry about the security of your capital.
- For instance, if you elect to use eToro to invest in Ripple, you will be using a broker that is regulated by three reputable bodies.
- Namely, this includes the FCA, ASIC, and CySEC.
- The same broker is also approved by FINRA and the SEC – meaning it has the legal remit to serve US clients.
By using a regulated broker, you will also be able to use fiat currency to pay for your XRP investment. This means that in most cases – you can deposit funds with a debit/credit card, ACH, or bank wire.
Cryptocurrency Exchange
You can also find XRP listed at hundreds of cryptocurrency exchanges. These are platforms that match buyers and sellers in real-time – so you will be trading with other market participants. That is to say, when you invest in Ripple, you will be purchasing the coins from somebody that wishes to sell. This means that by choosing an exchange to buy Ripple, you will need to ensure it has sufficient levels of liquidity.
The main drawback with using a cryptocurrency exchange to invest in XRP is that you will likely be trading via an unregulated platform. You might also find that the platform does not accept convenient payment methods like debit or credit cards. Instead, you might be forced to deposit and withdraw funds via crypto.
Should I Invest in XRP USA?
XRP is a super-popular digital token with a huge market capitalization that now runs into the tens of billions of dollars. This doesn’t, however, mean that you should invest in XRP without having first performed adequate research.
To ensure you enter this marketplace with your eyes wide open, below we discuss whether or not XRP represents a viable long-term investment.
Legitimate Use Case
Although there are thousands of digital tokens that can be bought and sold online – most have very little use case in the real world. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth in the case of Ripple and its underlying XRP token.
- In a nutshell, Ripple allows banks and financial institutions to send and receive funds across borders in a seamless manner.
- Not only are transactions super cheap and fast, but they come without the regulatory stronghold currently found in the global financial arena.
- For instance, virtually all international transactions sent on an interbank basis go through SWIFT – which is a third-party payments network. These transactions are expensive and slow – and fraught with red tape.
- Ripple solves this issue by offering interbank transactions that typically take less than a second to process and at a cost of just a fraction of a cent.
Furthermore, and perhaps most importantly, Ripple solves the liquidity issues that occur when emerging or exotic currencies are transferred internationally. This is because the XRP token acts as a liquidity bridge – meaning that all transactions are fast and cheap – irrespective of which currencies are being used.
Track Record and Partnerships
Ripple and its XRP token were first launched into the public in 2012. This means that Ripple is one of the longest-standing cryptocurrency projects in this space. It goes without saying that this is a major benefit from an investment perspective, not least because you have a track record that now exceeds nine years.
Additionally, this impressive track record is further boosted when you look at the partnerships that Ripple has since entered into. In fact, more than 200+ banks and financial institutions from all over the world either use or are trialing the Ripple technology. This includes major powerhouses like American Express, Santander, SBI Remit, and Standard Chartered Bank.
Investment Gains
In terms of making money from a Ripple investment, this will only be possible if the value of the XRP token increases in the open marketplace. Cryptocurrencies are volatile and speculative, so there is no sure-fire way of predicting where XRP will be positioned in the near or distant future. With that said, what we can do is look at how digital currency has performed since it was launched.
Put simply, had you invested in XRP back in 2012 – you would have paid a small fraction of 1 cent. In fact, the earliest date viewable on CoinMarketCap is August 2013 – whereby XRP was trading at just $0.004 per token. The same digital currency hit an all-time in early 2018 where it breached the $3 mark. This equates to gains of over 75% from its initial launch price.
What are the Risks of Investing in Ripple?
Investing in Ripple – or any digital currency for that matter isn’t immune to risk. This is something that you need to think about carefully before investing in XRP – as cryptocurrencies are largely driven by speculation and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).
All-Time High Not Recovered
The first thing to note is that XRP has still not recovered its prior peak of $3.30 – since this feat was breached in early 2018. This is concerning when you consider that other major cryptocurrencies – such as Bitcoin and Ethereum, generated new all-time highs in 2021.
The former, for example, hit heights of over $64,000 in May. Ripple, on the other hand, peaked at $1.96 during the same period, which is still 68% lower than its all-time high of $3.30.
Regulatory Concerns
Another risk to consider is that there have been ongoing concerns from US authorities regarding the regulatory standing of Ripple and its XRP token. In fact, both Ripple and the SEC have been engaged in a long-standing court battle with respect to the cryptocurrency’s legal status. This centers on whether or not XRP should be classed as financial security.
Storage
Cryptocurrencies like XRP are stored in digital wallets. This can come in the shape of a mobile, desktop, or web wallet – and even a hardware device. Either way, you need to consider the risks associated with storage, insofar that hacking attempts are not uncommon in the cryptocurrency arena.
This means that you need to have a firm understanding of how to safeguard your wallet’s private keys. If somebody is able to remotely gain access to your wallet, the chances are that your XRP tokens will be stolen and thus – unrecoverable.
How Much Does it Cost to Invest in Ripple?
Before going ahead and investing in Ripple – you need to understand what costs are involved. In a similar way to buying traditional stocks, the specific fees will be determined by your chosen broker.
Below we explain what fees to look out for before you invest in Ripple in the US.
- Deposit Fees: Most brokers require you to deposit funds into your account before you can invest in XRP. Debit and credit card deposits are usually the most expensive, with the likes of Coinmama charging 5%. eToro, on the other hand, allows US clients to deposit funds for free – irrespective of the payment method you opt for.
- Instant Buy: Some brokers allow you to invest in Ripple via an Instant Buy feature. This means that you can enter your debit or credit card details and subsequently invest in XRP instantly. The fees on this can be expensive, with Kraken charging 3.7% of the purchase amount.
- Commission: Unless opting for the Instant Buy tool, you will need to pay a commission when you invest in Ripple. For instance, if you deposited funds via bank transfer into your chosen brokerage account, the commission will kick in once you complete your XRP purchase. The commission is usually charged as a percentage – which is multiplied against your total investment amount.
Fees and commissions can also vary depending on how much you are looking to invest. For example, if you invest a large amount of money into XRP, you might benefit from more competitive fees. At the other end of the spectrum, you might pay less favorable fees for small investments. This is the case with brokers like Coinbase, which charge a flat fee on any purchases of under $200.
How to Buy Invest in Ripple – Conclusion
In conclusion, the process of investing in Ripple in the US is super easy – especially when using a regulated broker. However, perhaps the most challenging part is knowing which broker to complete the process with. For example, while the likes of Coinmama are simple and burden-free to navigate, the fees are extortionate – especially when using a debit or credit card.
This is why we like eToro – not least because the broker ticks all of the right boxes in the core departments that we look for. For example, you can invest from just $25 into Ripple on a spread-only basis, and the minimum deposit amount is just $50. Unlike other brokers in this space, eToro allows US clients to deposit funds with a debit/credit card or e-wallet on a fee-free basis. And of course – eToro is heavily regulated.