XRP News Today: American Express Upgrade Sparks Ripple Integration Speculation

American Express is currently undergoing a significant systems upgrade, which has led to temporary delays in cross-border payments and wire transfers. The company has attributed these disruptions to a broader upgrade aligned with recent Federal Reserve system updates. However, the timing of this upgrade has sparked speculation within the crypto community that it may involve XRP-powered solutions from Ripple, a company with which American Express has a history of collaboration.

Ripple and American Express have previously worked together on cross-border payment trials, notably between the U.S. and the U.K. These trials utilized RippleNet’s infrastructure, which offered speed and cost advantages. Given this history, crypto analysts are now questioning whether American Express could be reviving or expanding its relationship with Ripple as part of its current modernization efforts. Crypto influencer Versan of Black Swan Capitalist suggested that the Amex upgrade may be laying the groundwork for deeper integration with Ripple’s blockchain settlement solutions.

This speculation is not occurring in isolation. Earlier this month, American Express unveiled its largest card update to date, including refreshed features for its U.S. Consumer and Business Platinum Cards. Shortly after, the company announced a high-profile partnership with Coinbase, introducing the Coinbase One Card, a crypto-friendly payment option offering up to 4% Bitcoin back on purchases. These developments, combined with the tech system upgrade and payment disruptions, suggest that American Express may be positioning itself for the future of payments, which blends traditional finance with blockchain technology.

Ripple itself is also navigating a significant legal landscape. The company has recently dropped its cross-appeal in its long legal battle with the SEC, with the SEC expected to follow suit. Although a federal judge denied a request to reverse the penalty order, XRP’s legal status as a non-security remains intact, according to Ripple’s legal chief Stuart Alderoty. This legal clarity, combined with RippleNet’s real-world use case and growing adoption in financial institutions abroad, strengthens the narrative that Ripple’s enterprise blockchain is ready for a second act, possibly with a major U.S. player like American Express.

Despite the rumors, XRP’s price movement has remained muted, with the token posting only a 1% gain in the past 24 hours. However, analysts argue that should American Express confirm a deeper Ripple integration, XRP could witness a strong upside surge, driven by both utility and investor sentiment. For now, American Express is keeping quiet about the specifics of its upgrade, but in a financial world rapidly shifting toward blockchain and tokenized infrastructure, silence might just be the loudest signal yet.