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I might be wrong, but no one other than banks (if that) can use ripple.

I'm not clear on stellar.

nah, anyone can buy Ripple and have a Ripple wallet. Only thing you can't do is mine Ripple.

The problem is that Ripple is bought via Bitcoin.

Tinfoil in me says that bank created Ripple just to get easy Bitcoin.

AFAIK Ripple is pre-mined ("minted") and the creator(s) controls >50% of it.