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Fed Waller Reiterates Bitcoin Is Gold: Powell Agrees: BTC is Speculative

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Investor confidence surges, BTC trading volume spikes. Cryptocurrency news, safe haven asset class, market analysis. Waller and Powell Double Down: Is Bitcoin Really Just 'Digital Gold'? 📌 Event Background and Significance On October 21, 2025, Federal Reserve Governor Christopher J. Waller reiterated his long-held view that Bitcoin is essentially "electronic gold," a non-yielding store of value sustained by collective belief rather than intrinsic cash flows. This perspective aligns with previous statements where Waller positioned Bitcoin as a commodity akin to precious metals or collectibles. His comments arrive at a pivotal time as the Federal Reserve actively explores digital assets and payments innovation. The significance of this statement lies in the ongoing debate surrounding Bitcoin's true utility and its place within the broader financial...

Walmart OnePay Integrates XRP Payments: Retail Giant Validates Crypto Future

Digital currency adoption surges; Ripple technology enables rapid, low-fee payments. Blockchain, retail payments, fintech.
Digital currency adoption surges; Ripple technology enables rapid, low-fee payments. Blockchain, retail payments, fintech.

Walmart's OnePay Integrates XRP Payments: A Retail Giant's Crypto Validation

📌 Walmart’s OnePay Steps into Crypto with ZeroHash Partnership

🤝 Walmart's fintech arm, OnePay, is reportedly gearing up to integrate Ripple USD (RLUSD) payments on the XRP Ledger, according to a recent post by Chad Steingraber on X. This move, facilitated through a partnership with Chicago-based digital asset infrastructure provider ZeroHash, signifies a major step in bridging traditional retail finance with the burgeoning crypto ecosystem.

OnePay, majority-owned by Walmart, aims to add cryptocurrency trading and custody services to its mobile app. This integration would enable users to manage digital assets alongside conventional banking tools, streamlining access to crypto for Walmart’s vast customer base.

Founded in 2021 by Walmart and Ribbit Capital, OnePay already offers an array of financial services, including savings accounts, credit/debit cards, buy-now-pay-later options, and mobile plans. The addition of crypto capabilities aligns with OnePay’s vision of becoming a comprehensive “everything app” for personal finance, bringing XRP-based payments closer to everyday use.

Event Background and Significance

⚖️ The integration of crypto payments into a major retail platform like Walmart represents a significant milestone for the industry.

Historically, adoption of crypto for mainstream transactions has been hampered by volatility, regulatory uncertainty, and complex user experiences. This partnership aims to address those issues by providing a secure and user-friendly platform for managing digital assets.

The validation of the XRP Ledger by a major corporation like Walmart could drive further adoption and legitimize crypto as a viable payment method.

🔗 Furthermore, this move underscores Walmart’s growing interest in blockchain technology and its potential to revolutionize retail finance. As traditional financial institutions grapple with digital transformation, retailers like Walmart are positioning themselves at the forefront of innovation by embracing crypto payments.

📌 ZeroHash Integrates Ripple USD (RLUSD) on the XRP Ledger

🚀 ZeroHash, a licensed digital asset company, has officially launched support for Ripple USD (RLUSD) on the XRP Ledger, as confirmed in documents shared alongside Steingraber’s post.

The release, dated February 3, 2025, indicates that users can now buy, sell, deposit, and withdraw RLUSD, including in New York. RLUSD is now listed as a stablecoin available on both the XRP and Ethereum networks, with a focus on the XRP Ledger for OnePay’s system.

⚖️ Ripple USD (RLUSD) functions as a stable digital dollar on the XRP Ledger, designed for regular financial use due to its fast and low-cost payment capabilities while maintaining a stable value. ZeroHash LLC and ZeroHash Liquidity Services LLC are licensed by the New York State Department of Financial Services, ensuring secure crypto transactions and custody for platforms like OnePay.

🔗 The partnership between OnePay, ZeroHash, and the XRP Ledger creates a direct link between Walmart and the Ripple ecosystem. This integration showcases how major retail companies are beginning to apply blockchain technology to practical payment solutions. This is not merely speculative; it demonstrates actual utility and integration within a real-world financial setting.

Market Impact Analysis

⚖️ The integration of XRP payments into Walmart's OnePay is expected to have a considerable impact on the crypto market. Short-term effects may include increased price volatility for XRP and heightened investor interest in RLUSD. Long-term, this partnership could foster wider acceptance of stablecoins and blockchain-based payment systems across the retail sector.

From an investor perspective, this news signals increased legitimacy for XRP and its underlying technology.

The adoption of RLUSD by a major retailer could drive demand and potentially boost its value.

However, investors should also be aware of regulatory risks and market fluctuations associated with stablecoins and the broader crypto market. It is also expected to influence investor sentiment positively as more and more companies consider integrating blockchain payments into their systems.

Key Stakeholders’ Positions

📜 Key stakeholders in this development hold varying perspectives. Lawmakers and regulators are likely to scrutinize the partnership to ensure compliance with existing financial regulations and consumer protection laws. Industry leaders and crypto projects may view this integration as a positive step toward mainstream adoption, while some traditional financial institutions may see it as a competitive threat.

🤝 ZeroHash, as the crypto infrastructure provider, stands to benefit from increased transaction volumes and wider adoption of its services. Ripple, the company behind XRP, will likely see this partnership as validation of its technology and a catalyst for further growth. Walmart, as the retail giant, is positioning itself to capture a share of the growing digital payments market and enhance its customer experience.

Here’s a summary of stakeholder positions:

Stakeholder Position
Lawmakers ⚖️ Cautious; focus on regulation & consumer protection
Industry Leaders Positive; sees adoption, competition
ZeroHash 📊 📈 Benefits; increased volume
Ripple Validation & growth

Future Outlook

⚖️ Looking ahead, the integration of crypto payments into Walmart's OnePay could pave the way for wider adoption of blockchain technology across the retail sector. As regulatory clarity improves and technology matures, more retailers may explore similar partnerships to enhance their payment systems and cater to digitally savvy customers.

⚖️ Potential opportunities for investors include identifying and investing in crypto projects and stablecoins that are poised to benefit from increased adoption. However, investors should also be mindful of potential risks, such as regulatory changes, market volatility, and technological disruptions. The future of crypto payments in retail hinges on collaboration between industry players, regulators, and consumers to create a secure, transparent, and user-friendly ecosystem.

📌 🔑 Key Takeaways

  • Walmart's OnePay is integrating Ripple USD (RLUSD) payments on the XRP Ledger through a partnership with ZeroHash, marking a significant step in mainstream crypto adoption.
  • This move provides OnePay users with the ability to manage digital assets within the app, aligning with the vision of a comprehensive "everything app" for personal finance.
  • The integration is expected to drive increased demand for XRP and RLUSD, though investors should remain aware of regulatory risks and market fluctuations.
  • Key stakeholders' positions range from cautious regulatory scrutiny to enthusiastic industry validation, reflecting the transformative potential of this partnership.
🔮 Thoughts & Predictions

The confluence of retail giant Walmart integrating with Ripple's XRP Ledger through ZeroHash signals more than a mere payment upgrade; it highlights a paradigm shift in how consumers might soon interact with digital assets. It's becoming increasingly clear that the convergence of traditional retail and blockchain technology is not a question of "if" but "when," and this move by Walmart could serve as a blueprint for other major corporations. While immediate price surges in XRP might be tempered by broader market conditions, expect to see increased investor attention on projects that facilitate real-world utility, particularly those focused on payments and stablecoin integrations. Keep a close eye on regulatory developments, as this increased integration will likely invite closer scrutiny from financial authorities. The true long-term impact will depend on the scalability and security of the underlying technology, but for now, this partnership offers a tangible example of how crypto assets are beginning to permeate everyday life, enhancing both accessibility and utility.

🎯 Investor Action Tips
  • Track the adoption rate of RLUSD within the OnePay ecosystem to gauge real-world utility and potential demand impact.
  • Monitor regulatory statements regarding stablecoin usage in retail transactions, as this will heavily influence long-term viability.
  • Consider diversifying into payment-focused crypto projects that demonstrate practical integration with established businesses to reduce risk.
  • Keep an eye on ZeroHash's growth and partnerships, as they are becoming a key infrastructure provider for integrating crypto with traditional finance.
🧭 Context of the Day
Today's news emphasizes the gradual but decisive integration of cryptocurrency into mainstream retail, signaling potential benefits for both the crypto industry and consumer convenience.
💬 Investment Wisdom
"The future is already here – it's just not evenly distributed."
William Gibson

Crypto Market Pulse

October 21, 2025, 20:11 UTC

Total Market Cap
$3.87 T ▲ 0.34% (24h)
Bitcoin Dominance (BTC)
57.65%
Ethereum Dominance (ETH)
12.48%
Total 24h Volume
$212.52 B

Data from CoinGecko

📈 RIPPLE Price Analysis
Date Price (USD) Change
10/15/2025 $2.51 +0.00%
10/16/2025 $2.41 -3.81%
10/17/2025 $2.33 -7.22%
10/18/2025 $2.30 -8.40%
10/19/2025 $2.36 -5.85%
10/20/2025 $2.39 -4.65%
10/21/2025 $2.49 -0.64%
10/22/2025 $2.49 -0.60%

▲ This analysis shows RIPPLE's price performance over time.

This post builds upon insights from the original news article, offering additional context and analysis. For more details, you can access the original article here.

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