Ripple is the base cryptocurrency Bitcoin is the counter cryptocurrency. Ripple is the internal currency of the payment network that goes by the same name. Ripple provides lightning-fast transaction settlements speeds. The consensus protocol powering the Ripple ledger settles transactions within 4 seconds. Bitcoin was introduced in 2009 by an unknown developer often referred to as Satoshi Nakamoto. The main advantage of Bitcoin is that the currency makes for total payment freedom due the blockchain technology at its core. Its market cap is $287349268000 (as of December 2017). To stay tuned to the XRP/BTC chart follow Capital.com.