XRP Ledger or simply XRP (formerly called Ripple) is a free software project and a payment protocol that pursues the development of a credit system based on the peer-to-peer paradigm. Each node of the network functions as a local exchange system, so that the entire system forms a decentralized mutual bank. Some consider that implemented to its last consequences this network would constitute a decentralized social network service based on honor and trust among its participants at a global level (in this way, its financial capital is based on social capital). A reduced version of the network would consist of an extension of the traditional banking system in which there are alternative payment routes that do not depend on central banks.