You're either a Ripple lover or a hater, it's the most polarizing coin in crypto. The classic argument s against Ripple is that the coin has no value, that XRP has nothing to do with how the banks use it, that it will be too volatile to use, and that the giant amount reserved by the company is pure evil incarnate. All valid concerns.
That is, until you read this: https://www.reddit.com/r/Ripple/comments/7pgvyc/heres_how_and_why_xrp_will_be_used_by_banks/
Then it all clicks.
The TLDR version in plain english:
Banks can use XRP or Fiat with their transfer technology. They don't have to use XRP. But if they do, they save 30%. Of course they're going to want to. It also eliminates the need for an annoying third account type they used to need when working with international banks.
Private clearing houses will ensure that XRP won't change value as it travels from one bank to another. To make this possible of course Ripple needs to hold quite a bit of it to spread around.
Now, all this aside ... as Ripple is limited supply and banks are all in on this and the government can't print more of it, the natural thing is that the cost will continue to climb as its utility increases and as it accumulates in the pockets of the wealthiest institutions in the world.
Hate ripple or not, you'd be insane not to hold some in your portfolio before this summer.