$XRP
Ripple (XRP) is a digital payment protocol and cryptocurrency that has garnered significant attention in the financial world. Unlike Bitcoin, which aims to be a decentralized digital currency, Ripple's primary goal is to facilitate faster, cheaper, and more efficient international payments for banks and financial institutions.
One of XRP's key differentiators is its consensus mechanism. Instead of relying on proof-of-work like Bitcoin, or proof-of-stake, Ripple uses a unique consensus algorithm where a network of validating servers agrees on the order and validity of transactions. This allows for near-instantaneous transaction settlement, often within 3-5 seconds, which is a major advantage over traditional banking systems that can take days for international transfers.
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