Many crypto currencies today have three ways of being looked at. You have they technology/operating system, the token, and above and the ideology. I began investing in Bitcoin years ago because I believed in the third, but I also wanted to make money. Recently the crypto currency ripple has seen massive gains stacked on a year of gains and though I kinda saw this coming when it was below 0.15 cents, I didn't buy. A want to have means is a natural and normal impulse. We all want to be able to provide in some small way for our families and maintain our homes. Most of us want to be able to do this and be left alone in the process. Whether it's banks, priests of the state (government officials), or tax on that which we buy, we generally would rather do without and simply push forward acknowledging basic inherit human rights. I.e. freedom of speech, freedom of assembly, freedom of thought, right to self defense. With the invention of block chain technology we have been given a rare opportunity to say NO. Whether in the form of 0.000 whatever a balance, it's still money and therefore compliance withheld from the government and therefore withheld from the banks. Ripple is the bankers crypto currency. As far as coins go it is elegant, quick, well developed, and appealing to investors. You didn't think the elitist would show up to the block chain world half dressed did you? I can see the appeal to many in it as a coin and at the moment in investing in it. I don't knock anyone who would want to get ahead by buying some at the moment either. It's just not for me. I like saying NO with every conversion of fiat to crypto, crypto to fiat then to what little gold and silver I can buy. Above all, just saying NO. I have never done a negative write up and I'm not about to start. Those who wish to say yes and buy into Ripple are smart as investors in both technology and XRP as a token. But in this as with many things I choose to say no. We all can cultivate that option if we love freedom. I do everything I can in my power to withhold my compliance in money in regards to tax. I have had to be creative but overall I have been successful more often than not. In regards to supporting crypto in the pockets of oligarchs and banks no creativity is required. Just a simple no. If XRP shoots up to 110 USD then great, but I won't lose sleep or feel like I missed anything. I loaded up on just say no coins like PIVX at 0.15 cents, Nav Coin at 0.28, on Monero at 13.00 USD, on Dash at 5. At this point it's enough NO to say to not make me rich, but at least let me know I'm not cooperating with the very thing that would steal my freedom or that of the next generation. But to each their own and good luck to you all. As I said, these are just my reasons. Many blessings guys and Steem on.
