The cryptocurrency community is always keen on eye-catching headlines, especially when the content suggests widespread use of cryptocurrency. Last weekend, a headline on platform X sparked heated discussions, claiming that McDonald's would start accepting XRP payments at certain designated stores in the U.S. from August 4 (Monday).
Widespread claim: Can XRP buy a Big Mac?
On August 3, the account @Ripple_queen posted: '🚨 Breaking news: McDonald's will experiment with payments using #XRP🍔💸 Starting Monday, certain designated locations in the U.S. will begin accepting $XRP...'
The post claims this could be a 'game-changing' moment for cryptocurrency and the XRP ledger, suggesting consumers could pay for fast food with XRP in seconds, concluding with 'if that's the case, that would be great!'
This post naturally stirred up the cryptocurrency Twitter community, with many small creators and XRP fans discussing it. Considering XRP's price surge at the time, surpassing McDonald's in market capitalization, its price increase seems logical. But is this true?
No announcements, no agreements: Rumors hold no weight
The following points are sufficient to illustrate that this rumor is false:
Neither party has made any announcements: McDonald's and Ripple have not confirmed anything regarding XRP payments, with no press releases, blog updates, or public statements. Such a significant move would normally warrant a formal announcement, especially from Ripple, which usually releases compliance information when entering new markets.
Unclear source: The original post used vague phrases like 'reportedly' and did not cite any sources, which is suspicious in itself. Even in replies, many users pointed out the lack of evidence, considering it mere speculation.
XRP is not used for such retail payments: While XRP has legitimate applications, they are mainly focused on cross-border bank transactions and institutional transfers, not retail scenarios like fast-food chains. Ripple's partnerships have always concentrated on financial infrastructure rather than retail pilot projects; there may be future developments, but currently, there are none.
Why did the rumor about XRP and McDonald's spread so quickly?
Fairly speaking, XRP has seen strong growth in recent weeks. Its market capitalization has recently surpassed $215 billion, exceeding McDonald's; it rose by 4.11% in the last 24 hours, with a current trading price of about $2.99. Additionally, large institutional investments have been pouring in weekly, indicating a clear market confidence. Therefore, when someone claims XRP will enter the fast-food sector, it's easy for people to believe it.
Final conclusion: Rumors are untrue
There is no collaboration between McDonald's and XRP, and currently, it's not possible to purchase a Big Mac with this cryptocurrency. The aforementioned claims are baseless rumors, and if the situation changes, official channels will release news.