XRP News Today: Amex's Mysterious Upgrade: Is Blockchain the Secret to Faster Global Payments?

American Express (Amex) has drawn speculation about a potential integration of Ripple's blockchain technology into its payment infrastructure following recent cross-border transaction delays and system upgrades. While Amex has not officially confirmed the involvement of Ripple or its XRP token, the timing aligns with the company's historical partnership with RippleNet, which previously streamlined U.S.-U.K. corridor transactions. The XRP community has reacted cautiously, with the token's price rising 2% to $2.22 in the past 24 hours amid heightened interest Is American Express Secretly Using RippleNet Again?^[1].

The speculation gained momentum after Amex notified clients of disruptions in wire transfers and cross-border payments, attributing the delays to a "Federal Reserve System update" and a "wide system upgrade." Crypto analysts, including Versan of Black Swan Capitalist, have highlighted the broader trend of payment modernization and blockchain adoption in traditional finance. Amex's recent launch of the Coinbase One Card, offering 4% Bitcoin cashback, and its largest card refresh in over 40 years further fuel theories of a strategic pivot toward digital innovation Ripple and American Express: A Secret Partnership in …^[2].

Ripple's CEO Brad Garlinghouse has publicly endorsed the potential of blockchain to revolutionize cross-border payments, citing a partnership with Amex and Santander UK to enable real-time, business-to-business transactions. The collaboration, announced in 2025, aims to enhance visibility and reduce processing times for U.S.-U.K. transfers. Amex executives emphasized the efficiency gains, with Greg Keeley noting that blockchain technology "plays a transformational role in the way customers are served" .

Market analysts suggest that if Ripple's technology is integrated into Amex's infrastructure, it could significantly reduce transaction costs and improve liquidity management. This would align with Ripple's broader strategy to position XRP as a bridge currency for cross-border settlements. Institutional adoption has been bolstered by regulatory developments, including the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's reclassification of XRP as a commodity in August 2025, which has increased institutional confidence and paved the way for XRP-based ETFs .

The XRP price has shown resilience amid broader market volatility, with technical indicators suggesting consolidation above key support levels. Analysts at CoinGlass note elevated open interest and long/short ratios in derivatives markets, reflecting sustained bullish sentiment. The token's performance is closely tied to regulatory clarity and institutional accumulation, with nine asset managers awaiting SEC approval for spot XRP ETFs .

While no official confirmation of Ripple's involvement in Amex's current upgrade has been released, the convergence of payment delays, strategic partnerships, and regulatory progress suggests a potential shift toward blockchain-enabled solutions. Investors are advised to monitor further updates, as confirmation could mark a significant milestone in the integration of cryptocurrency technology within traditional financial institutions American Express Payment Delays Fuel Speculation on Possible …^[3].