European digital currency exchange Bitstamp has kicked off 2017 with the integration of a new blockchain asset, Ripple (XRP). Bitstamp said in the release that traders will be have access to two markets: XRP/USD and XRP/EUR.
Trading on both pairs will official begin on the January 17, with no trading fees until February 10, 2017. Bitstamp explained that fees will be gradually raised by 25% on a monthly basis until midnight on May 1, 2017, when fees on XRP pairs will be the same as BTC pairs.
Nejc Kodrič, CEO at Bitstamp, explains:
“After evaluating a number of digital currencies for inclusion on our exchange, it soon became clear that customer demand for XRP was particularly strong.”Miguel Vias, Head of XRP Markets, said traders and investors on Bitstamp will now have access to a innovative digital asset that is linked to the legacy banking system:
"Ripple's adoption with banks puts XRP in pole position to become a global settlement asset, which translates to more liquidity for Bitstamp, and more value for institutional and individual investors."
