How to Buy XRP: Exchanges, Fees and Steps

How to buy XRP step by step

1. 1

   Choose an exchange and sign up with a referral link

   Pick one of the exchanges above and use its button on this page so the referral is applied. Each exchange has its own fees, features and country restrictions; its guide page explains what to check.

2. 2

   Secure the account

   Confirm your email or phone, set a strong password you do not use anywhere else, and turn on two-factor authentication.

3. 3

   Complete identity verification if asked

   Most exchanges require verification (KYC) for withdrawals or higher limits. The rules vary by exchange and by country, so check them before you deposit.

4. 4

   Add funds

   Deposit crypto you already own, for example USDT, or use a card, bank transfer or P2P option if the exchange offers one in your country. These on-ramps usually cost more than a spot order, so compare the total cost.

5. 5

   Open the XRP/USDT spot market

   Search for XRP in the spot markets. If the pair is not listed on that exchange, pick a different exchange rather than buying through another route.

6. 6

   Choose the order type

   A limit order waits at the price you set and, when it rests on the order book, is usually charged the lower maker rate. A market order fills immediately and is charged the taker rate. Check the fee shown before you confirm.

7. 7

   Confirm and check your balance

   Once the order fills, the XRP appears in your spot balance. Start with a small amount while you learn how the exchange works.

8. 8

   Optional: withdraw to your own wallet

   Exchanges usually need a destination tag (a number, sometimes called a memo) for XRP deposits, and your own wallet may give you one. Leave it out or get it wrong and the deposit can be delayed or lost. A new XRP Ledger wallet also needs a small minimum reserve before it activates; check your wallet's documentation.

About XRP

Launched

2012

Creators

Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto, David Schwartz

Supply

100 billion XRP, all created at launch

Consensus

XRP Ledger consensus protocol (no mining)

Settlement

A few seconds per ledger

Stakeable

No

What it is

XRP is the native asset of the XRP Ledger (XRPL), an open-source ledger that started in 2012. It was created by Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto and David Schwartz. Ripple, the company, is a major holder of XRP and builds payment products that can use it, but the ledger itself is run by independent validators and is separate from the company.

Background

All 100 billion XRP were created at the start, so there is no mining and the supply is fixed. Ripple holds a large share and has placed XRP in escrow that is released on a schedule. In December 2020 the US securities regulator sued Ripple over XRP sales. A 2023 court ruling treated XRP sold on public exchanges differently from sales made directly to institutions. The legal position has continued to develop, so check current news before relying on it.

How it works

The XRP Ledger does not use mining or staking. A set of validators agree on each ledger version through a consensus protocol, and a new ledger closes every few seconds. Transactions cost a tiny fee that is destroyed rather than paid to anyone. The ledger has a built-in decentralized exchange and supports tokens issued on it.

What people use it for

XRP is promoted mainly for cross-border payments and as a bridge asset between currencies, although in practice most XRP trading is on exchanges. It is also used for low-cost transfers between exchanges and wallets, and for trading against USDT and other pairs.

Background facts are general reference information, not market data. Check the project's own documentation for current details.