Ripple Investor
Ripple Vs. Dogecoin – What’s the Difference?
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Learning the differences between Ripple (XRP) and Dogecoin (DOGE) is a vital step toward becoming more informed about the crypto market. Both of these projects have been around for years, have large followings, and are listed on most major exchanges. Read on to learn what makes these projects miles apart in terms of their purpose and niche markets.
What is Ripple?
The first thing to understand when discussing Ripple is that it is not the cryptocurrency XRP. Ripple Labs is the firm that developed the XRP cryptocurrency. XRP functions on the RippleNet which is the global payments network used for currency exchange, remittance, and gross settlement.
Ripple is one of the best-known projects in the market. The protocol was unique when it entered the market because it went against the common thinking of crypto programmers at the time. Ripple wasn't trying to create an alternative financial system. It was built to help banks facilitate cross-border transactions in a frictionless manner.
![RippleNet Benefits](https://www.securities.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/Ripple-Net-Benefits-e1622340203382.png)
Ripple (XRP) vs Dogecoin (DOGE)
This focus on the traditional financial sector helped Ripple quickly gain strategic partnerships with some of the largest names in the industry. The digital assets payment system works with Santander, Axis Bank, Yes Bank, Westpac, Union Credit, NBAD, UBS, and many more.
What is Dogecoin?
Dogecoin represents what happens when you make a joke so good that it takes on a life of its own. Dogecoin was developed by Billy Markus and Jackson Palmer – a pair wanting to create a coin that was similar to Bitcoin but was made to make fun of the seriousness of the original cryptocurrencies.
The project began with the developer taking Bitcoin's coding and swapping every instance of Bitcoin with Dogecoin. They then made some other alterations such as renaming miners as Diggers. From there, they made some technical changes such as altering the consensus mechanism.
The token launched on December 6, 2013, and was a major hit. The protocol used a beloved meme of a Shiba Inu as its logo as part of the elaborate joke. The joke would have resounding effects on the market as it ushered in the age of meme coins.
What Problems Was Ripple Built to Alleviate?
Ripple was designed to help banks send money globally. Sending fiat currency internationally is a slow, cumbersome process that is costly. The average international transaction has around 36 different third parties that must review and approve them.
These steps include payment processors, banks, vendors, regulators, and the list goes on. The process delays transactions and worst of all, each step adds to the overall cost. Today, it's normal for international money transferrers to pay nearly 7% just by sending their money digitally. While this fee is high for individuals, banks are unable to forfeit that much funding to the system.
Ripple improves the system and payment settlement using its network. The system has an average transaction time of 4 seconds and costs less than Bitcoin to transact on. The protocol provides low-commission currency exchange which enables a more seamless international economy.
What Problems Was Dogecoin Built to Alleviate?
Dogecoin was designed to make you laugh. The coin began as a joke between Redditors and has grown to become a major crypto project that has done actual good. The network has sponsored many humanitarian efforts including a clean water initiative in Kenya, and an autistic children's puppy program. The protocol has even sponsored the Jamaican bobsled team.
![Dogecoin Sponsors Jamaican Bobsled Team](https://www.securities.io/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/Dogecoin-Sponsors-Jamaican-Bobsled-Team-e1615043952554.jpg)
Ripple (XRP) vs Dogecoin (DOGE)
Today, Dogecoin is used as it was intended as an electronic payment system. The protocol has also seen support from various celebrities. For example, Snoop Dogg has tweeted in support of the project, while one of the world's richest men, Elon Musk, has endorsed the project, tweeting that he is the “Dogefather.”
How Does Ripple Work?
Ripple enables banks to send fiat currencies, cryptocurrencies, commodities, and more internationally in a frictionless manner. The protocol functions by converting these assets into XRP before sending them. XRP can be sent in a permissionless manner for pennies internationally.
The RippleNet includes over 100 banks at this time and has some strategic partnerships with remittance firms as well. These groups can send values using the system in seconds. This strategy has already saved these firms millions in fees and delays. The system improves efficiency and security while lower costs making it a win-win for participants.
How Does Dogecoin Work?
Dogecoin operates like Bitcoin in that it utilizes a PoW consensus mechanism. On Dogecoin, however, diggers compete to secure the network. The system has all diggers validate the chain with one receiving a reward randomly. This approach is great because it improves security as more diggers join.
Dogecoin users can send their DOGE across the globe using the network. The token serves its purpose as a light-hearted cryptocurrency and it has helped to drive large-scale crypto adoption up due to its high-profile supporters. There has been a push by the Dogecoin community to add more functionality and usability to the coin which could improve its value further.
One of the cool aspects of Dogecoin is that it uses Scrypt consensus mechanics. The decision to do so was made to prevent mining centralization, as was common on Bitcoin at the time. The decision meant that miners couldn’t use ASIC mining rigs on the Dogecoin blockchain, helping to keep the network decentralized longer.
How to Buy Ripple (XRP) and Dogecoin (DOGE)
Currently, Ripple (XRP) and Dogecoin (DOGE) are each available for purchase on the following exchanges.
Uphold – This is one of the top exchanges for United States & UK residents that offers a wide range of cryptocurrencies. Germany & Netherlands are prohibited.
Uphold Disclaimer: Terms Apply. Cryptoassets are highly volatile. Your capital is at risk. Don’t invest unless you’re prepared to lose all the money you invest. This is a high-risk investment, and you should not expect to be protected if something goes wrong.
Kraken – Founded in 2011, Kraken is one of the most trusted names in the industry with over 9,000,000 users, and over $207 billion in quarterly trading volume.
The Kraken exchange offers trading access to over 190 countries including Australia, Canada, Europe, and is a top exchange for USA residents. (Excluding New York & Washington state).
Ripple Vs. Dogecoin- Alternate ends of the Spectrum
When you examine Ripple (XRP) vs. Dogecoin (DOGE), it's easy to see that these projects are geared toward different audiences. They may trade on many of the same exchanges, but XRP was designed to serve the banking community, whereas, Dogecoin was created to make you smile. It doesn’t get much further from each other in terms of purpose.
To learn more, make sure to visit our Investing in Ripple and Investing in Dogecoin guides.
*July 14, 2023 UPDATE*
After a multi-year court battle, Judge Torres, who was presiding over the case, announced a split decision surrounding the charges laid against Ripple Labs by the SEC.
“For the foregoing reasons, te SEC's motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to the Institutional Sales, and otherwise DENIED. Defendants' motion for summary judgment is GRANTED as to the Programmatic Sales, the Other Distributions, and Larsen's and Garlinghouse's sales, and DENIED as to the Institutional Sales.”
Simply put, Ripple was found guilty of selling unregistered securities directly to institutions, as these were clearly viewed as investment contracts. Outside of this point, which is in favor of the SEC, it is widely viewed that Ripple ‘won' the case. It was found that both programmatic sales of XRP and those made by Larsen & Garlinghouse did not constitute the sale of unregistered securities.
This decision was made due to the following distinction.
“…the vast majority of individuals who purchased XRP from digital asset exchanges did not invest their money in Ripple at all. An Institutional Buer knowingly purchased XRP directly from Ripple pursuant to a contract, but the economic reality is that a Programmatic Buyer stood in the same shoes as a secondary market purchaser who did not know to whom or what it was paying its money…Therefore, having considered the economic reality and totality of circumstances, the Court concludes that Ripple's Programmatic Sales of XRP did not constitute the offer and sale of investment contracts.”
These rulings are significant, as many of the circumstances of the case and points made echo those of other digital assets on the market. While each and every case is unique, a modest level of clarity has now been provided for the status of altcoins.
While the ruling may be challenged by the SEC, digital asset exchanges have already begun relisting the asset now that the fear of regulatory violation has diminished. Moving forward, a trial will decide whether Larson and Garlinghouse knowingly aided in the illegalities that the company did take part in.
David Hamilton is a full-time journalist and a long-time bitcoinist. He specializes in writing articles on the blockchain. His articles have been published in multiple bitcoin publications including Bitcoinlightning.com