Cardano vs. Ripple

If you’re just getting started investing in cryptocurrency, you’ve more than likely heard of Cardano (ADA) and Ripple (XRP), two of the biggest blockchains in terms of crypto market cap.

 

While inherently different networks, you can use this guide to understand how XRP and Cardano differ in their philosophies and their approach to design. 

Cardano vs Ripple
Cardano

CARDANO

Cardano is one of a number of competing proof-of-stake blockchains that enables owners of its ADA cryptocurrency to help operate its network and vote on changes to its software rules.

Ripple

Ripple

Ripple, in an effort to challenge traditional transactions, presented a new way of operating a blockchain’s transaction and records system for payment settlements with its cryptocurrency XRP.

To further understand how these two complex networks work, read below for a side-by-side comparison of Cardano vs Ripple so you can start to better understand and appreciate the differences yourself.

The difference between Cardano and Ripple

ADA icon

Cardano

Cardano’s primary use case is to allow transactions in its native cryptocurrency, ADA, and to enable developers to build secure decentralized applications powered by it.

 

However, Cardano differs from other blockchain projects by emphasizing a research-driven approach to design, aiming to achieve an academic rigor it believes will propel adoption of its technology.

 

While Cardano may not promise new ground-breaking features, users and developers may find its cryptocurrency offers appealing optimizations based on scientific research and formal verification, a process by which its code is verified mathematically.

 

Further, Cardano is released in phases and has seen 5 major platform upgrades since 2017, including Byron, which enabled the transfer for ADA cryptocurrency for the first time and Voltaire, which introduced a new model for how users could fund development for software changes. 
 

XRP icon

Ripple

XRP was created to complement traditional payments by migrating transactions that occur today within financial institutions to a more open infrastructure.

 

In order for XRP to work, Ripple built the XRP ledger, a software that introduced a new way of operating a blockchain’s transaction and records system.

 

Similar to Bitcoin, the XRP ledger allows users to send and receive its XRP cryptocurrency using digital signatures.

Useful resources

If you are interested in learning more about Cardano and Ripple, please visit Kraken’s What is Cardano ADA? and What is Ripple XRP? pages.

 

Want more in depth information on specific cryptocurrencies and blockchain projects? If so, visit our Learn Center to further your education on this ever-growing space.