Ripple is a new way of sending money you currently own to a friend halfway across the world, so then he can go to the bank and cash the ripple in for whatever currency he uses on a daily basis.
I don't see ripple skyrocketing since it isn't an actual currency used to buy stuff with, just to trade currency, so the demand and supply will always stay close to the same therefore not creating a big price drive.
Now I Won't say ripple won't go up a good amount by the end of 2017;
I actually forsee if going past $1.00 maybe even to $1.50 by the end of the year.
The short answer to your question is​ I think it will be a good long-term investment for a slow and steady climb.
Thanks for commenting.