diff --git a/docs/img/introduction10-xrp-on-chain.png b/docs/img/introduction10-xrp-on-chain.png deleted file mode 100644 index 51a1e9f3fd..0000000000 Binary files a/docs/img/introduction10-xrp-on-chain.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/docs/img/introduction11-all-the-things.png b/docs/img/introduction11-all-the-things.png deleted file mode 100644 index fd2db7ca97..0000000000 Binary files a/docs/img/introduction11-all-the-things.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/docs/img/introduction12-diamond.png b/docs/img/introduction12-diamond.png deleted file mode 100644 index 352a6547b6..0000000000 Binary files a/docs/img/introduction12-diamond.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/docs/img/introduction13-x-prefix.png b/docs/img/introduction13-x-prefix.png deleted file mode 100644 index 59f76d9821..0000000000 Binary files a/docs/img/introduction13-x-prefix.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/docs/img/introduction14-hundred-billion.png b/docs/img/introduction14-hundred-billion.png deleted file mode 100644 index 97cb2654df..0000000000 Binary files a/docs/img/introduction14-hundred-billion.png and /dev/null differ diff --git a/docs/img/value-from-faith.svg b/docs/img/value-from-faith.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..aefeacc640 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/img/value-from-faith.svg @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ + + Value from collective agreement vs value from faith + Gold is valuable because of collective agreement. XRP is valuable because of faith placed in the currency. + + + + + + + + + + + Gold + + VALUE FROM COLLECTIVE AGREEMENT + + + + + + + + + + + + + + XRP + + VALUE FROM FAITH IN THE CURRENCY + + + + + + + + + diff --git a/docs/img/xrp-naming.svg b/docs/img/xrp-naming.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..155d7fd11f --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/img/xrp-naming.svg @@ -0,0 +1,23 @@ + + How XRP got its name + XRP = X (non-national currency prefix, ISO 4217) + RP (ripple credits) + + + X + Non-national currency + prefix (ISO 4217) + + + + + + + RP + Ripple credits + + + = + + + XRP + + diff --git a/docs/img/xrp-on-blockchain.svg b/docs/img/xrp-on-blockchain.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..ce0d0c5fac --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/img/xrp-on-blockchain.svg @@ -0,0 +1,60 @@ + + XRP on the blockchain + A chain of blocks each containing a transaction, hash, and previous hash, linked together and secured by the XRP ledger. + + + + + Block + 001 + + HASH + a3f9… + + PREV HASH + — + + + + + + + + Block + 002 + + HASH + 7c2b… + + PREV HASH + a3f9… + + + + + + + + Block + 003 + + HASH + f1d4… + + PREV HASH + 7c2b… + + + + + + + + + + + + + Each block contains a transaction linked to the one before it + + diff --git a/docs/img/xrp-supply-timeline.svg b/docs/img/xrp-supply-timeline.svg new file mode 100644 index 0000000000..b1da341d25 --- /dev/null +++ b/docs/img/xrp-supply-timeline.svg @@ -0,0 +1,33 @@ + + XRP supply timeline + Key moments in XRP supply history from 2011 to present. + + + + + + + + 2011–12 + + 100B XRP created + + + + 2012 + + 80B to Ripple, 20B to founders + + + + 2017 + + Ripple locks 55B in escrow + + + + Present + + Escrow releases gradually + + diff --git a/docs/introduction/what-is-xrp.md b/docs/introduction/what-is-xrp.md index 3db1302e9f..786372c3ec 100644 --- a/docs/introduction/what-is-xrp.md +++ b/docs/introduction/what-is-xrp.md @@ -15,19 +15,56 @@ XRP is the cryptocurrency supported by the XRP Ledger. A cryptocurrency is a digital or virtual currency that is secured by cryptography and tracked using a blockchain. The security and integrity of cryptocurrency makes it nearly impossible to counterfeit or double-spend. -![XRP on the blockchain](/docs/img/introduction10-xrp-on-chain.png) +![XRP on the blockchain](/docs/img/xrp-on-blockchain.svg) -Cryptocurrencies, digital currencies, and digital assets all fall into the same general category. Cryptocurrencies are: +Cryptocurrencies, digital currencies, and digital assets all fall into the same general category. They are: -- digitally native (meaning they are built for the internet) -- programmable -- fast to transfer at a low cost -- open and transparent -- not restricted by borders or governments (so no need for nostro accounts that hold funds in another country) -- not subject to counterfeit -- do not require a bank account or infrastructure to settle payments. - -![Advantages of cryptocurrencies](/docs/img/introduction11-all-the-things.png) + + +
+
Built for the internet
+
Immutable
+
Fast and low cost
+
No counterfeiting
+
No central authority
+
Programmable
+
Open and transparent
+
Borderless
+
Rules don't change overnight
+
Censorship resistant
+
No bank required
+
No foreign accounts needed
+
Cryptocurrencies are _fungible tokens_. _Fungible_ means that you can replace one token with other tokens of equal value. Postage is an example of a fungible token: if it costs 50 cents to mail a letter, you can use 2 25-cent stamps or 5 10-cent stamps for the postage, because postage stamps are fungible (consistent in relative value and interchangeable). @@ -37,7 +74,7 @@ Cryptocurrencies are compelling for investors and developers because no single e ## But Why Is It Valuable? -![Advantages of cryptocurrencies](/docs/img/introduction12-diamond.png) +![Value from collective agreement vs value from faith](/docs/img/value-from-faith.svg) It might seem strange that cryptocurrency is based solely on computer data, and not on any sort of tangible commodity such as precious metal. Traditionally, currencies have been based on cattle, sea shells, rare metals, stones, or other physical objects. But these items have value only because there was agreement between people in a culture. @@ -50,16 +87,15 @@ The value of cryptocurrency comes from the faith that holders place in the curre The XRP Ledger was built over 2011 – early 2012 by Jed McCaleb, Arthur Britto and David Schwartz. At the time of its creation, there were 100 billion XRP. In September 2012, Jed and Arthur, along with Chris Larsen formed Ripple (the company, called OpenCoin Inc. at the time) and decided to gift 80 billion XRP to Ripple in exchange for Ripple developing on the XRP Ledger. -![One Hundred Billion with a "B"](/docs/img/introduction14-hundred-billion.png) +![XRP supply timeline](/docs/img/xrp-supply-timeline.svg) Since then, the company has regularly sold XRP, used it to strengthen XRP markets and improve network liquidity, and incentivized development of the greater ecosystem. In 2017, the company placed [55 billion XRP in escrow](https://ripple.com/insights/ripple-escrows-55-billion-xrp-for-supply-predictability/?__hstc=78174987.8aa695b6d0420a940041f1842edfd8a6.1692378128025.1692644550213.1692652561840.8&__hssc=78174987.3.1692652561840&__hsfp=3379522993) to ensure that the amount entering the general supply [grows predictably](https://ripple.com/insights/ripple-to-place-55-billion-xrp-in-escrow-to-ensure-certainty-into-total-xrp-supply/?__hstc=78174987.8aa695b6d0420a940041f1842edfd8a6.1692378128025.1692644550213.1692652561840.8&__hssc=78174987.3.1692652561840&__hsfp=3379522993) for the foreseeable future. Ripple's [XRP Market Performance site](https://ripple.com/xrp/?__hstc=78174987.8aa695b6d0420a940041f1842edfd8a6.1692378128025.1692644550213.1692652561840.8&__hssc=78174987.3.1692652561840&__hsfp=3379522993) reports how much XRP the company has available and locked in escrow at present. -![Man with one XRP](/docs/img/introduction13-x-prefix.png) - - ### Naming -Originally, the XRP Ledger was called "Ripple" for the way the technology allowed payments [to ripple through multiple hops and currencies](../concepts/tokens/fungible-tokens/rippling.md). For the native asset built into the ledger, the creators chose the ticker symbol "XRP" from the term "ripple credits" or "ripples" and the X prefix for non-national currencies in the [ISO 4217](https://www.iso.org/iso-4217-currency-codes.html) standard. The company registered itself as "Ripple Labs". The name "XRP" came to be used to refer to the asset in all contexts, to avoid confusion with the similar names for the technology and company, and eventually the company shortened its own name to "Ripple". In May 2018, [the community selected a new "X" symbol](https://twitter.com/xrpsymbol/status/1006925937571713025) to represent XRP to differentiate it from the triskelion logo that had previously been used for both the company and the digital asset. +Originally, the XRP Ledger was called "Ripple" for the way the technology allowed payments [to ripple through multiple hops and currencies](../concepts/tokens/fungible-tokens/rippling.md). For the native asset built into the ledger, the creators chose the ticker symbol "XRP" from the term "ripple credits" or "ripples" and the X prefix for non-national currencies in the [ISO 4217](https://www.iso.org/iso-4217-currency-codes.html) standard. + +![How XRP got its name](/docs/img/xrp-naming.svg) The company registered itself as "Ripple Labs". The name "XRP" came to be used to refer to the asset in all contexts, to avoid confusion with the similar names for the technology and company, and eventually the company shortened its own name to "Ripple". In May 2018, [the community selected a new "X" symbol](https://twitter.com/xrpsymbol/status/1006925937571713025) to represent XRP to differentiate it from the triskelion logo that had previously been used for both the company and the digital asset. | XRP "X" Logo | Ripple triskelion | |:---------------------------------------|:------------------------------------|