## Overview of Ripple Ripple is a leading enterprise blockchain company focused on transforming global financial infrastructure through digital payment solutions and cryptocurrency technology[6]. Established in 2012, with its headquarters in San Francisco, Ripple operates as a private U.S.-based firm and has expanded its presence globally, with offices in major financial hubs such as New York, London, Mumbai, Singapore, São Paulo, Reykjavík, Washington DC, and Dubai[3][2]. ## What Ripple Does Ripple’s core mission is to enable fast, low-cost, and secure cross-border payments for financial institutions, businesses, and governments[1][4]. Unlike traditional banking networks that rely on correspondent banking and pre-funded accounts, Ripple leverages its proprietary technology—the XRP Ledger—to facilitate real-time settlement, eliminating intermediaries and reducing transaction times from days to seconds[1][4]. The company offers a suite of products, including xCurrent (real-time messaging and settlement for banks), xRapid (which uses XRP as a bridge currency for liquidity), and xVia (a standardized payments interface)[1]. Ripple’s network, known as RippleNet, connects hundreds of banks and payment providers, including major names like Bank of America and Santander[4][5]. ## History and Key Achievements Ripple’s origins trace back to 2004, but its current form was launched in 2012[1]. The company quickly gained traction by targeting the inefficiencies of cross-border payments. Notable milestones include the 2018 launch of “MoneyTap” in Japan—a Ripple-powered mobile app for domestic payments—and Santander’s “One Pay FX,” the first blockchain-based international payments app using Ripple’s technology[5]. Ripple has consistently expanded its partner network and, in 2023, acquired Swiss crypto custody firm Metaco for $250 million, broadening its service offerings and international footprint[5]. The