Ripple owns 99% of the coins
Not true
Ripple is transparent about the XRP they possess in their quarterly reports.
Check https://ledger.exposed for live statistics about XRP distribution.
The Top 100 accounts (wallets) contain ~81% of the circulating XRP supply. Most of the wallets in the Top 100 are exchanges. The actual amount of XRP Ripple can spend not even close to 81%.
Regarding the 55 billion coins in escrow: Ripple can't touch these coins and uses them to support market makers.
Want to become a smarter person?
Read more about the effect XRP sales from Ripple has on the XRP price in the Q1 2018 rapport
Check this article for an educating read 🎉