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Big Banks Could Eventually Warm Up To Bitcoin And Ripple

This article is more than 6 years old.

Big banks want to crush Ripple and Bitcoin. At least, that’s the impression one gets by listening to speeches of high profile bankers, attacking the very premise and the valuation of Bitcoin.

Last year, for instance, J.P. Morgan Chase & Co. leader Jamie Dimon called the digital currency a “fraud,” and a “tulip bulb.”

There’s a good reason for that. Each cryptocurrency is in competition with banks, especially Ripple. “If big banks were to succeed in crushing one of these two currencies, Ripple would be it,” says Shidan Gouran, President and COO of Global Blockchain.

"The main reason for this is because Ripple is much more of a direct competitor to banks. Because it operates more like a transaction network than a currency, it's a lot more plausible that they will be a target for banks to get tough with. Whereas because Bitcoin operates more like a currency, they don't pose the same threat.”

Coin/Investment Trust 7d Change *
Bitcoin (BTC) 2.36%
Ethereum (ETH) -13.82
Ripple (XRP) -7.7

*As of Friday March 23, 2018 at 11 a.m

Source: Coinranking.com

In fact, there are signs that banks are warming up to the idea of accommodating Bitcoin transactions. “I would go as far as to say that banks are almost encouraging the use of Bitcoin, by offering futures on Bitcoin, and allowing transfers to and from exchanges (with bank accounts, not with credit cards). “

The same could turn out to be the case for Ripple, as it can be very valuable to banks. "I believe Ripple offers a viable blockchain solution and an enormous amount of utility to banks,” says Darren Marble, CEO of CrowdfundX.

“As such, I do not believe that big banks will necessarily crush either Ripple or Bitcoin for that matter. While banks are actively investing in and working to develop blockchain-based solutions, it’s going to take a bit more time for banks to come around to the idea of relying on a cryptocurrency and for the industry to become more established. I believe banks are keeping a close eye on Ripple. This isn’t going to happen overnight."

Adopting the technology behind Bitcoin and Ripple is one thing, using the digital currencies in the place of national currencies is another.

That’s why investors should temper their enthusiasm about what impact a marriage between big banks and cryptocurrency technologies might have on the price of Bitcoin and Ripple.

[Ed. note: Investing in cryptocoins or tokens is highly speculative and the market is largely unregulated. Anyone considering it should be prepared to lose their entire investment. Disclosure: I don't own any Bitcoin.]