Apple Buying XRP? Rumor Sparks Doubt, Partnership Talk Surfaces

Crypto Influencer Claims Apple Will Buy XRP in Bulk
But Apple’s Track Record Shows No Reason to Embrace High-Risk Assets
Speculation Also Rises Over Possible Apple–Ripple Partnership

Rumors are spreading that Apple plans to purchase the cryptocurrency Ripple (XRP), after a crypto influencer’s social media post gained traction among investors. The speculation has fueled confusion in the market, but analysts note there is no official evidence to support the claim. Moreover, Apple has never expressed interest in entering the cryptocurrency market, making the likelihood of such a scenario highly doubtful.

Apple to Buy XRP?

On the 15th, financial industry sources reported that rumors were spreading about Apple purchasing XRP. The speculation is traced back to a post made on the 8th (local time) by crypto influencer @Cobb_XRPL, who has about 45,000 followers on X (formerly Twitter). The influencer claimed that Apple would soon announce a $1.5 billion cryptocurrency purchase, with Ripple (XRP) as the target, though no official evidence was provided.

In the following days, some investors circulated the post, causing unrest in the market. The claim gained attention amid a surge in corporate cryptocurrency investments. Tesla, MicroStrategy, and Japan’s Metaplanet have adopted Bitcoin as a strategic reserve asset, while listed company BitMine Immersion disclosed it holds more than 1.52 million ETH.

Market Reaction Skeptical

The market views rumors of Apple buying Ripple (XRP) with skepticism. Apple has shown little interest in the cryptocurrency industry to date and has never disclosed any crypto investments. Its iOS operating system long restricted in-app digital asset purchases, only easing rules this year to allow crypto buys through external links. Yet the policy change does not suggest Apple would suddenly invest heavily in a specific cryptocurrency like XRP, which has far less recognition than Bitcoin (BTC) or Ethereum (ETH).

Risks tied to XRP also weaken the credibility of the rumor. The token faces ongoing legal disputes and regulatory uncertainty, contributing to high volatility. By contrast, Bitcoin has risen to a status comparable to Apple itself in global asset rankings and is increasingly adopted by institutions and even some governments. For Apple, there would be little rationale to choose XRP over Bitcoin. As one market analyst put it, “Apple has followed a cautious, conservative investment strategy for more than a decade, prioritizing stability and profitability over risky bets. It has no real incentive to hold a highly volatile asset like XRP.”

Apple Opens Ripple-Linked Subdomain

Some analysts argue that even if Apple does not purchase XRP, it could still explore cooperation with Ripple. Last month, subdomain tracking service Bark reported the creation of a new address: “ripple.apple.com.” The discovery sparked speculation that Apple may be testing ways to connect with the Ripple ecosystem.

So far, neither Apple nor Ripple has announced any official partnership. Accessing the subdomain leads to no content or features, leaving it unclear whether this is merely an internal test or a signal of deeper collaboration. Still, the development has fueled theories that Apple might integrate Ripple’s technology into Apple Pay, a scenario aligned with broader market trends linking traditional finance with crypto.

If such a partnership were realized, it could bring major disruption to global payment infrastructure, while giving XRP an opportunity to expand its role in commerce by leveraging Apple’s massive customer base. However, observers also caution that the episode could end as nothing more than a technical experiment without further progress.