>Ripple/Stellar requires explicit trust - money gets created through obligations.

Trust is the original currency and was the basis for the very first monies ever invented; monies based on trust are much more empowering than "hard" currencies which always have the effect of disproportionately empowering those who already have money.

>That is also how the fiat money system works.

The difference is that now, for the first time in history, you get control over your obligations, not banks. BTW your bias is showing.