Ripple Mobile

Explore our full features
Understand the magnitude of the problem
Visit our website (https://ripple-web-demo.vercel.app)
Explore our web simulator
Getting started is as easy as dealing our extension
Explore all feature possibilities from our home menu, you can send XRP, approve POS, Request POS payment, and explore our multi-sign(shared)
Our web simulator in action, you can send XRP, approve POS, Request POS payment, and explore our multi-sign(shared)
Explore our multi-sign workflow with ease and directness
See how we keep our users up to date with activities on their accounts
Get notified when you send and receive XRP
We invite you to explore our solution
Check out our customer personas
Get and request account Info.
Receive account detail information

Inspiration

Would you believe me if I told you that a single major hurdle is preventing over 3 billion people from joining the CBDC revolution? This often overlooked hurdle is internet accessibility. CBDCs are inherently internet-native technologies, however, GSMA reports that over 3 Billion people globally do not use mobile internet. This is a huge problem for CBDCs because, without the internet, people can't use CBDCs or benefit from their power. While this may seem like a trivial issue in wealthier nations, it represents an insurmountable hurdle for a significant segment of the globe, predominately people living in Low and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) – such as nations in South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa.

Existing solutions in the space are apps and websites requiring customers to have an internet connection and own a relatively costly smartphone, tablet, or laptop to access their XRP wallet and network.

Here's where Ripple Mobile steps in. It is a low-cost, offline tool we created to solve the digital divide problem. Our solution makes it easy for anyone, anywhere to use CBDCs, fostering global financial inclusivity. We believe that the digital divide issue is a must-solve problem in order to help CBDCs take off worldwide.

Women and people in rural areas are most affected by the digital divide issue in LMICs as they are 17% less likely to own a smartphone than men and 19% less likely to use mobile internet. Ripple Mobile is an offline solution that can be accessed anywhere and with any mobile device. This means we can give Mary, a female farmer in Ghana, complete access to the Ripple network and seamlessly conduct her business from her remote village farm.

Ripple Mobile will empower marginalized people at the fringes of the global financial system to get involved and become first-class citizens in the CBDC revolution. We aim to connect the next 3 billion unconnected people to CBDC networks with our offline solution.

What it does

Ripple Mobile aims to increase CBDC accessibility and bridge the digital divide by attacking the core of the problem. Our solution tackles the top 3 barriers to internet connectivity as identified by GSMA

Affordability (mainly of handsets)
Literacy & Digital Skills
Safety and Security

Here's how Ripple Mobile proposes a robust solution for the stated barriers:

Affordability: Our platform is accessible on all mobile handsets, be it smartphones or basic & feature phones, eliminating the need for expensive smartphones and internet data purchases. This cost-effective approach significantly lowers the financial threshold for entry.
Ease of Use: Our straightforward menu-driven interface is intuitive, requiring minimal digital literacy. Ripple Mobile ensures a seamless customer experience with no app downloads or complex setup procedures.
Safety and Security: With a simple 4-digit pin securing accounts, Ripple Mobile not only fortifies the safety of financial transactions but also alleviates the risks associated with carrying cash.
Seamless, Borderless Financial Connectivity: Ripple Mobile transcends the limitations of proximity and local boundaries, setting the stage for a transformative approach to financial services. Our solution is designed with scalability and global reach in mind, ensuring that it is not constrained by geographical limitations.

By harnessing the potential of Unstructured Supplementary Service Data (USSD) alongside the Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) technology, Ripple Mobile facilitates offline interactions with the Ripple network. Now, anyone devoid of internet access can engage with the Ripple network using just their phone, whether it's a smartphone, basic phone, or feature phone.

Engaging with Ripple Mobile is as simple as dialing a USSD shortcode, 920*106# . This eliminates the need for app downloads or storing app data, offering a range of features on the XRP network through a series of user-friendly menus. Here's a glimpse into the capabilities Ripple Mobile extends to its customers:

One Step Registration: Once a customer decides to register for a Ripple Mobile account, they choose a secure 4-digit pin and their phone number is automatically paired to an XRP wallet and secured with their PIN. Accounts can be standard, merchant, or multisign accounts.
Sending XRP: Registered accounts can send XRP to other registered accounts knowing just the recipient's mobile number. This can be done from anywhere with a telecom tower connection.
Multisign Accounts & Transactions: Create multisign accounts and invite colleagues, family, or friends as co-signers/approvers for fortified security on all ensuing transactions. This is designed for business ventures, joint accounts, and more.
Initiate & Approve POS Transactions: Our POS workflow empowers businesses to initiate in-store transaction requests. Users can seamlessly approve these requests when making purchases, fostering a fluid transaction experience.
Account Insights: Customers can use the USSD interface to view their account details, check their balance, and review transaction histories from anywhere and anytime.
SMS Integration: SMS messages deliver timely account information and transaction notifications to keep customers informed.

How we built it

In the construction of Ripple Mobile, we adhered to a strategy that prioritised both speed and quality. To achieve this, we harnessed an array of tools and best practices to ensure a streamlined development process with a focus on robustness and security. We used Python and the FastAPI framework, along with the xrpl-py library, to help connect to the Ripple network.

For SMS notification messages and USSD features, we integrated with a local Ghanaian third-party service that handles SMS and other technologies.

Throughout our development journey, we followed best practices in data protection and user privacy. We implemented encryption, and thorough testing to ensure that user data remains protected from potential vulnerabilities. We used a JSON data store to keep track of encrypted data for the prototype as we eventually plan to connect to a real database system down the line.

We recognised the significance of providing comprehensive explanations and insights into Ripple Mobile. Hence, we crafted a demo website using Next.js to provide a more in-depth look into how the platform works; we invite you to explore our use cases, customer personas and more. This platform features a fully functional USSD simulator which offers users a deeper understanding of Ripple Mobile's functionality.

Challenges we ran into

Designing a user-friendly, easy-to-understand and efficient USSD interface is a crucial challenge. We needed to optimise the limited space available in USSD to provide a seamless experience.
Testing USSD services can be challenging, as it often requires the use of real mobile networks. So for this phase we built a USSD simulator for RippleMobile which has the capability of providing all the features our product has to offer.
When it came to using the MultiSign feature, we found that the xrpl-py documentation didn’t have the information we needed. So, we had to figure out how to adapt the existing guides for the xrpl-py library on our own.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Our approach addresses an often under-served sector in tech innovation, serving not only as a valuable addition but also as a pivotal advancement toward the global adoption of Central Bank Digital Currencies (CBDCs). Despite our compact team, we successfully embraced a unique perspective (USSD) to CBDC adoption in often overlooked regions, resulting in a product that we take immense pride in.

What we learned

Our foray into this project offered us a profound insight into the magnitude of the global challenge pertaining to internet connectivity. This newfound perspective illuminated the pivotal role that internet accessibility plays in ensuring the equitable distribution of technology and digital services across the globe.

What's next for Ripple Mobile 🚀

We aim to advance this product beyond the initial prototype and proof of concept stages. Our goal is to scale up and shape it into a sturdy XRP/CBDC solution that can be effortlessly launched in multiple countries without extensive setup or hassle, serving as a truly unique solution for over 3 billion potential users who currently lack internet access.