Amex Payment Delays Prompt Rumors of Renewed Ripple Partnership

American Express is in the middle of a significant systems upgrade, and while the company has not revealed much in terms of technical specifics, it’s already drawing sharp attention from the crypto community. As reported by Crypto News, the global payments firm has warned clients of temporary delays in cross-border payments and wire transfers, attributing the disruption to a broader upgrade aligned with recent Federal Reserve system updates.

But for blockchain watchers, that’s only part of the story. The timing, paired with American Express’ existing relationship with Ripple, has sparked speculation that the upgrade may involve XRP-powered solutions.

Ripple Partnership History Revisited

This isn’t the first time Ripple and Amex have been in the same sentence. The two firms have previously collaborated on cross-border payment trials, notably between the U.S. and the U.K., with RippleNet’s infrastructure offering speed and cost advantages. Now, amid a push for modernization, crypto analysts are asking whether Amex could be reviving or expanding that relationship.

Crypto influencer Versan of Black Swan Capitalist suggested that the Amex upgrade may lay the groundwork for deeper integration with Ripple’s blockchain settlement solutions. “Payment infrastructure is being modernized, and American Express is a known Ripple partner,” he wrote on X.

The Bigger Picture: Amex’s Crypto Pivot

The Ripple speculation isn’t happening in a vacuum. 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.

For many observers, the combination of a tech system upgrade, payment disruptions, and crypto reward integration points toward a broader ambition. Amex could be positioning itself for the future of payments, one that blends traditional finance with blockchain tech.

Legal Clouds Over Ripple Begin to Clear

Meanwhile, Ripple itself appears to be shaking off the final dust of its long legal battle with the SEC. CEO Brad Garlinghouse recently confirmed that Ripple has dropped its cross-appeal in the case, 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 Amex.

XRP Sees Modest Uptick — For Now

Despite the rumors, XRP’s price movement has remained muted, with the token posting only a 1% gain in the past 24 hours. Still, 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, Amex is keeping quiet. But in a financial world rapidly shifting toward blockchain and tokenized infrastructure, silence might just be the loudest signal yet.