Where and How To Buy Ripple In the UK (2022 Version)
XRP$0.467631
$46.76B
It might not make as much noise as Bitcoin or Ethereum, but the XRP is the world’s third-biggest cryptocurrency by market cap. At the very least, that means that a lot of people are rooting for it. It doesn’t necessarily mean you have to buy XRP, though. To make that decision, a thorough analysis is required. And we’re here to tell you how to buy Ripple in the UK.
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Ripple
Although the coin is commonly known as Ripple, let’s clear something out before going any further.
The difference between Ripple and XRP
The “Ripple” name might refer to Ripple Labs, Inc., the company that created it. Or to RippleNet, the blockchain-based global payments system they created. Financial institutions can send money around the world for a minimal fee through the Ripple network.
The XRP Ledger is an open-source project, an independent entity from Ripple. Its native digital currency is the XRP. Everyone can own XRP or build over the XRP Ledger.
The company, Ripple Labs, created products for financial institutions to make cross-border payments over the XRP Ledger. Their service “uses the digital asset XRP to source liquidity during cross-border transactions.” The XRP is a bridge currency between several Fiat currencies.
The company, Ripple Labs, claims it doesn’t control the XRP Ledger or the XRP coin. They do hold approximately half of the XRP in existence, though.
Explanatory note aside, everybody calls the XRP coin “Ripple.” And so do we.
Best way and place to buy Ripple (XRP) in the UK
We’re going to cut to the chase and tell you how and where to buy XRP, but rest assured you’re going to need a wallet that supports the coin to store your cryptocurrency. More on that later.
Nowadays, it’s extremely easy to buy Ripple from the UK. You won’t even need USD, or to trade your Bitcoin for it. You can buy XRP directly and in GBP.
Crypto.com
The Crypto.com wallet is also an exchange that allows you to buy, sell, and pay with your crypto. You can use the app to buy over 90 different coins, you can get a Crypto.com metal VISA card with 8% cashback, and you can earn interest on the crypto you hold.
If you’re ready to make your crypto work for you, download the Crypto.com app on Android or iOS today!
Visit Crypto.comThis platform seems to offer it all, a stand-alone exchange, a robust app, a crypto-based debit card. Most importantly for this article, though, a convenient and cheap way to buy Ripple using GBP.
Payment methods
You can deposit using credit cards, debit cards, and UK bank transfers.
They don’t accept PayPal.
Fees
At the moment, they’re charging an almost unbeatable 1.49% fee for debit cards and credit cards. Consider this a promotion that’ll last for a limited time only. As for the bank transfers, they support Faster Payments Service (FPS), which means your balance will arrive fast and require zero fees.
They also offer transactions with zero fees. That means you can send your XRP from the exchange to your wallet without paying anything to this company. You’ll have to pay a minimum fee to use the XRP blockchain, but that has nothing to do with Crypto.com.
Pros
Low fees. The possibility of a crypto debit card. Constant promotions and cashback programs. Painless verification process. A solid app for Android and iOS. Mostly the low fees, though.
Cons
They lock your funds if your balance drops to the minimum required. Questionable customer support. Most of the cashback benefits are only available to people that stakes high quantities of CRO (their own cryptocurrency.)
Step by Step Guide for Buying Ripple with GBP through Crypto.com
We’re going to assume you already have a verified crypto.com account. If you don’t, their verification process is considerably faster than most exchanges’. Take care of that, and then…
- Log-in to your crypto.com account
- Click on your GBP wallet and make a deposit using the payment method of your choice. If you’re already verified, this won’t take long.
- Head to the exchange and buy XRP using your GBP credit.
It’s that easy.
Coinbase
One of the most popular sites to get started with crypto is Coinbase. This well-known wallet not only lets you buy, sell, and trade coins but also lets you earn more through short videos and courses. It’s a solid option for anyone new to the world of cryptocurrencies.
Learn about cryptocurrencies and more by visiting Coinbase today.
Visit CoinbaseOnce upon a time Coinbase Pro, their trading platform for advanced users, only dealt with four coins: Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), Litecoin (LTC), and Bitcoin Cash (BCH). Nowadays, they sell XRP and several others.
If you’re a casual user, though, in the classic Coinbase you can buy Ripple easily. Their interface is very user-friendly.
Payment methods
If your bank account is already verified, you can deposit GBP using a simple bank transfer, a SWIFT transfer, or a wire transfer. They also accept SEPA deposits in EUR. And credit cards, and debit cards for a higher fee.
They don’t accept PayPal.
Fees
SWIFT deposits are free, but SEPA ones cost €0.15 EUR. The higher fee for credit cards and debit cards is 3.99%.
The transaction fee 0.00% to 0.50%, depending on a number of factors. They’ll notify you of the exact amount before you send your XRP from the cryptocurrency exchange to your wallet.
Pros
The most government-friendly crypto exchange. One of the most secure exchanges on the market. Built-in insurance policy. User-friendly interface.
Cons
Their customer service can’t handle Bitcoin’s popularity. High fees with confusing structure. They’ll give your account information to the government if asked.
Binance
Binance is the exchange to use if you’re new to the world of cryptocurrency. It’s intuitive, easy to use, and supports all the most popular cryptocurrencies. It makes buying, selling, and trading simple and even the most novice users will enjoy the pleasant user interface Binance has to offer.
When it comes to buying and selling crypto, there are few exchanges better than Binance.
Visit BinanceIf this is the cryptocurrency exchange of your choice, buying XRP from the United Kingdom won’t be a problem.
This company created a separate exchange for the European market, Binance Jersey, but they’re closing it. The main cryptocurrency exchange now accepts all payment methods that a European user could want, so Binance Jersey is no longer necessary.
Payment Methods
You can deposit GBP directly via Faster Payments or wire transfers. Or make EUR deposits via SEPA. Plus, you can buy XRP through credit cards and debit cards.
They don’t accept PayPal.
Fees
Binance’s credit cards and debit cards fee is usually 3%, but currently, they’re running a promotion for European users in which they charge just 1% if you use Visa.
They won’t charge you a fee for a direct deposit or a SEPA transfer.
Their transaction fee is 0.1%, and they offer a 25% reduction if you pay it in BNB (their cryptocurrency.) Plus considerable discounts for VIP clients and big transactions.
Pros
Low fees. A one-stop shop cryptocurrency exchange that offers everything. Supports and deals with more than a hundred coins. Mostly the low fees, though.
Cons
Relatively complicated interface for novice users. Their customer service can’t handle Bitcoin’s popularity. The verification process is troublesome for some.
Other Options
We’re talking about the third-largest cryptocurrency here, so buying Ripple is easy. If none of the options provided convince you, try Cex.io, Kraken, Bitstamp, Changelly, and even the trading platform eToro.
Where to store your XRP in the UK?
Never leave your coins in an exchange. That’s a cryptocurrency golden rule.
Once you get your virtual hands in some XRPs, you’re going to need an XRP wallet to store them. And, as per the XRP Ledger rules, you’ll need 20 XRP to activate that wallet.
That’s your minimum balance or reserve requirement. You’ll not be able to retrieve it or send it to others. It’s the cost of doing business in the Ripple blockchain.
Now, most wallets hold BTC, but not every wallet can handle every altcoin. It’s extremely important that you pick the right wallet to store the crypto assets of your choice. And we’re here to help you make that choice.
Hardware wallets vs Online wallets
To put it simply:
Hardware wallets add a layer of security, a physical device. The thing is, you have to spend USD to buy said device.
Online wallets are mostly free. And they’re secure enough, and always striving to be even more unbreachable. But they’re hot, always connected to the Internet because that’s where they live. Plus, some of them charge a fee on transactions, making them not so free after all.
Some online wallets are for mobile devices, others for desktop use.
Recommended XRP wallets
Ledger produces some of the best hardware wallets in the business, which is why you should give the Nano X serious consideration. This sleek device, with an intuitive user interface, and multi currency support is an excellent option for managing all your digital assets.
For all the security afforded with a hardware wallet, head on over to the Ledger website and order your Nano X today!
Visit Ledger Nano XHardware wallets: The Ledger Nano and the Trezor are the two biggest. They both support XRP.
Online wallets: Xumm is a newish mobile app for both Android and iOS. It’s an XRP-only wallet that includes a payment platform. Another mobile wallet for both operating systems is Crypterium. Apart from XRP, this one holds BTC, ETH, and Bitcoin Cash.
If you need a wallet that covers all your needs, the Atomic Wallet offers mobile and desktop versions and manages over 300 coins, including XRP of course.
It should be noted that one of the most popular XRP-only wallets shut down operations recently. On June 17th, 2020, they announced via Twitter: “Toast Wallet has been removed from App Stores in protest at the abysmal treatment of community developers by Ripple.” Make of that what you will.
Conclusion
The third most popular cryptocurrency is a controversial one. It was made for the banks and not for the people, and it’s not really decentralized. Nevertheless, it’s a useful tool that offers lightning speed transactions and comes with powerful allies.
If Ripple is your kind of company, then buying XRP might be a good idea. And doing so in the United Kingdom has never been easier. Bear in mind that the cryptocurrency market is highly volatile, and even a solid and serious coin like this one is subject to similar price fluctuations as Bitcoin.
In any case, if you decide to invest remember this: don’t leave your XRP or your BTC in an exchange. Transfer them to your wallet as soon as you get them.
Popular XRP Exchanges And Wallets
author Marco Vela
A crypto obssessed digital marketer passionate about making a difference in the world. When he's not behind the computer he can be found hiking, camping and relaxing with his dog.