There are so many ways you can come to your OWN conclusions about Ripple and well... any other company. Before I get into this exhaustive list (of things you already know), I want to say something in defence of YouTubers - which I feel I am classified as. A lot of the time, people watch YouTubers because they typically have done the majority of the things listed below. They get an audience because of the effort they've done up front and they continue to save people time and effort doing it themselves. With that said, anyone can do their own research! Here's all the ays you could do it:
Review Ripple's official documentation, whitepapers, and technical specifications to understand the underlying technology and the problem it aims to solve.
Check Ripple's quarterly reports and other official communications to assess the company's financial health and strategic direction.
Explore Ripple's regulatory status in different jurisdictions, especially concerning the ongoing lawsuit with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Look into any other legal or regulatory challenges Ripple might be facing globally.
Conduct a technical analysis of XRP's price and trading volume to understand market trends and potential future price movements.
Utilise tools and platforms that provide technical analysis data and insights.
Evaluate the activity and engagement levels of the Ripple and XRP community, including developers, as a vibrant community can be indicative of ongoing support and future development.
Check GitHub and other code repositories for active development and updates to Ripple's software and protocols.
Assess the market adoption of Ripple's solutions and XRP's usage in real-world scenarios.
Explore partnerships, collaborations, and any other business relationships Ripple has established.
Compare Ripple and XRP to similar projects and cryptocurrencies to understand their relative position in the market.
Look for independent audits, reviews, or assessments of Ripple's technology and financial operations.
Consult with financial advisors familiar with cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology for a professional opinion on Ripple and XRP's potential as an investment.
Enroll in courses or read books on blockchain technology and cryptocurrency to build a foundational understanding, which will help in making informed decisions.
Engage in discussions on reputable cryptocurrency forums, and ask questions to get a sense of what experienced investors and experts think about Ripple and XRP.
Although you mentioned moving beyond news, it's still wise to follow reputable news outlets and financial publications for any major updates regarding Ripple and XRP.
Assess the level of transparency and communication from Ripple's leadership and developers regarding the project's goals, progress, and challenges.
Each of these steps will provide different insights and help build a more comprehensive understanding of Ripple and XRP's potential and risks.