XRP (XRP) HODLers are probably right when they say the only reason that is preventing Coinbase from listing XRP on its platform, is because the SEC has not made a decision on whether the digital asset is a security or not. According to the SEC, Bitcoin and Ethereum are decentralized to the level where there is no need for the SEC to regulate the said digital assets. This then set precedence for Ethereum Classic (ETC) and Bitcoin Cash (BCH) to being listed on the exchange this year before XRP.

Looking deeper as to why Coinbase might be exploring the addition of ZCash (ZEC), Stellar (XLM), Cardano (ADA), Ox (ZRX) and Basic Attention Token (BAT), is that these coins/tokens, do not have pending lawsuits against them.

But does the SEC decision on XRP and Ripple’s 3 pending lawsuits in the US really affect the expansion of Ripple and XRP to rest of the world?

The answer to this question is direct and simply a No. Ripple and XRP has already decentralized away from its founding country of America. Evidence of this can be seen with the SBI and Ripple partnership that yielded SBI Ripple which is duly registered in Japan. There is also the SBI Virtual Currencies exchange that is XRP-centric with its CEO adamant that the exchange will end up being number one once it is fully functional.

We can also see the rapid Ripple expansion with its offices in Mumbai. If the American offices close shop, they can jet off to another continent comfortably. There is also the partnership with the Santander Bank that is using Ripple software in 50% of its international transfers including powering its OnePayFX app that is available in Europe and South America. SBI Holdings has also tapped xCurrent to power its SBI Remit services.

Secondly, XRP is a completely separate entity from the Ripple company as earlier elaborated. This means that the fate and future of the digital asset in the crypto markets remains in the hands of the crypto community. What the crypto-community needs to be reminded is that any court decision against Ripple will not affect XRP for the two are entirely separate entities. Ripple just happens to own a bunch of XRP to power its payment solutions software platforms.

In conclusion, we can say that the decentralized nature of cryptocurrencies has aided in the spread of XRP outside its country of origin: the USA. The Ripple company has also extended its business arms with several international partnerships in Japan, India and Europe. These partnerships to enable it to thrive even with restrictions at home. We are also reminded that the Ripple company recently hired a new Senior V.P in Business and Corporate Partnership, Ms. Kahina Van Dyke.

Ms. Van Dyke will be a critical ‘cog’ in the Ripple machine as she plans on sealing numerous global partnerships that will also tap the global micropayments industry as was seen during her tenure at Facebook. The micropayments industry is the backbone of economies in the developing countries of Africa and Asia. A lot can be accomplished by Ripple in these untapped markets.

Disclaimer: This article is not meant to give financial advice. It is an opinion piece. The opinion herein should be taken as is. Please carry out your own research before investing in any of the numerous cryptocurrencies available.