Ripple sounds like a great idea in theory, however knowing my friends and the relationships people have with their internet friends, I know that I wouldn't get involved in this sort of dealing.  People are unreliable, sometimes I have been broke as shit and unable to pay money I really should pay people.   Not because I'm not honest, not because I'm not their friend, but because I'm broke and a bit useless. If this sort of thing can disrupt a whole "ripple" of credit then the whole idea is doomed.  I love bitcoin because it takes ALL of the human element out of the currency.  I do not trust the stock market, I do not trust big business, and I do not trust the government to help me or to protect me from businesses out to scam me. I trust SHA256 encryption and I trust that bitcoin holders will protect their currency aggressively should any outsiders try to affect its value.