Bob, thanks very much for your time and the insight provided in this week's interview with Brad Kimes, especially on the subject of growing XRP value as a bridge currency through increased utility and liquidity, focusing on exotic corridors, allowing MMs to make more money, and most of all, lowering the cost to users. I have a few follow-up questions:
1) In your interview and on your "About the patent" thread you speak about the most practical path for XRP adoption being a gradual and somewhat predictable upward slope due to the factors I mention above. Without having a crystal ball, when do you suppose XRP holders might see the price begin to follow such a path (with expected ups and downs along the way)? Before the end of 2019? As it stands now we've basically been stuck around $0.30 for over nine months, except for several spikes. We hear of Ripple signing new customers, opening new corridors, joining new exchanges and adding new market makers, but the demand is obviously still lagging despite significant cost benefits for users. If lack of regulatory clarity isn't impeding usage then what is?
2) When you write that 2019 will see "smaller banks moving the fastest towards XRP," are you also referring to the many smaller banks here in the US that now have to route remittance payments through the JP Morgans of the world? My impression has been that practically no US banks are willing to use XRP because of perceived regulatory issues.
3) When do you think the larger banks using RippleNet will take the next step (their 2nd or 3rd priority) and start using XRP for exotic corridors? Are regulatory issues more important to these customers?
Thanks
