Institutional Links Between Ripple (XRP), American Express, and Coinbase

Crypto researcher SMQKE has published a post asserting a confirmed institutional connection involving Ripple, American Express, and Coinbase, supported by documentation that outlines the enterprise’s payment architecture.

The material centers on American Express’s use of Ripple’s infrastructure for supplier payments, positioning this relationship within a wider ecosystem that includes major digital asset service providers.

American Express and RippleNet Integration

The document describes American Express building SME and corporate customer supplier payment services on RippleNet. According to the documentation, this initiative is designed to create a global network of clearing partners that can operate across multiple jurisdictions.

The focus is on enabling faster settlement, lowering operational costs, and improving the customer experience for small and medium-sized enterprises as well as larger corporate clients.

The material explains that the service is tailored specifically for SMEs, to improve servicing efficiency while also supporting customer acquisition. By using Ripple’s technology stack, American Express is shown to benefit from quicker time-to-market for payment products, reduced friction in cross-border transactions, and enhanced reliability in clearing and settlement processes.

Global Clearing Network and Operational Scope

One of the visuals outlines a network-style model in which American Express sits at the center of a connected web of financial institutions across various regions, including North America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific.

This structure highlights the role of RippleNet as an underlying layer facilitating interoperability between banks and payment endpoints. The emphasis throughout the documentation is on scalability, geographic reach, and consistency in payment execution.

SMQKE’s post draws attention to how this infrastructure aligns with the requirements of regulated financial institutions, particularly those seeking predictable settlement outcomes and transparent transaction flows. The implication is that such systems are built for long-term institutional use.

Coinbase’s Role in the Confirmed Link

SMQKE’s post explicitly highlights a separate news update confirming that Coinbase has partnered with American Express to launch the Coinbase One Card, a product offering users up to 4% Bitcoin back on purchases.

By referencing this development, the post places Coinbase within an existing and verifiable commercial relationship with American Express rather than treating it as a distant participant.

When this information is considered alongside the documented use of Ripple’s infrastructure by American Express for SME and corporate supplier payments, a clearer picture emerges.

While the attached images focus on American Express building global payment and clearing capabilities on RippleNet, the Coinbase One Card represents a consumer-facing partnership with a regulated digital asset platform. Together, these elements reveal American Express working with both Ripple and Coinbase in different operational capacities.

SMQKE’s post reinforces the view that major payment institutions are integrating blockchain infrastructure and digital asset platforms into their existing systems as part of normal business operations, rather than experimental initiatives.