Ripple is still a thing? 

Yes and more and more bitcoine exchange work at becoming a gateway. The last one was LakeBTC. A bank is actually implementing ripple (Fidor) and reading cofoudner half official announcment we will probably see many more banks the year coming.
I see people are incredulous when they read Ripple Labs might easily have over a hundred banks on board within the next year. but this is real and this is coming.
Wait and see.

don't forget to short your bitcoins
