I wasn't thinking in terms of investment strategy, but fair point given the original article. My real answer would channel Buffett and be to not invest in something I don't fully understand (or, more precisely, not invest in something I don't have an advantage in). Forced into a corner, I'd invest in firms who are exploiting the technology, like financial institutions, blue-chip tech companies, or consulting companies who implement same.

Ripple is chainless. Ripple actually has the potential to scale beyond 10 minute block intervals; the speed of light, potentially a true interplanetary settlement network.