XRP is deeply embedded in the banking system since its use case is to replace the antiquated SWIFT banking system. In the most technical terms it is a cryptocurrency, in that it is a currency that is not issued by a government and is secured by cryptographic hashes. However, many in crypto don't consider it a true crypto because it is not decentralized and transactions can be charged-back by the centralized owner. There are a few other negatives as well for investors in that the company Ripple was funded by sales of XRP, and is doing very well, but many of it's products do not use the XRP token at all. Only their XRapid product needs it. One of 5 product lines for them, I think.  XRP is sort of the Uncle Tom of cryptos given its close relation to the existing banking system. But perhaps it's a bridge to bring the real world closer to crypto, who knows?