Global financial services company Western Union’s acquisition of International Money Express, Inc. (Intermex) is drawing attention from the crypto space, as analysts highlight its potential boost for Ripple and XRP. With Intermex confirmed as an On-Demand Liquidity (ODL) user of Ripple, the deal could strengthen blockchain-powered payment flows across the US while expanding Western Union’s retail and digital reach.
Western Union Expansion Could Bolster XRP And Ripple
Market expert ‘Xaif Crypto’ pointed out in an X social media post on Monday that Western Union’s $500 million all-cash acquisition of Intermex could have significant implications for Ripple and XRP. According to the analyst, Intermex has been a user of Ripple XRP ODL services since 2020, making it an active player in cross-border payments, particularly across Latin America.
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Notably, Western Union announced that it will take over Intermex in a recent press release on August 10. By acquiring Intermex, the international bank is not only gaining a well-established remittance business but also inheriting its Ripple-powered payment infrastructure. Xaif Crypto has stated that this strategic move further positions the company to dominate money flows across all of America. As a result, it marks a significant step toward XRP’s broader objective of achieving global market dominance.
Based on reports from the press release, the acquisition could directly strengthen its North American retail operations while expanding its reach beyond Intermex’s historically high-growth Latin American operations. It is also expected to accelerate digital customer acquisition, enabling faster onboarding of Western Union’s payment ecosystem.
Moreover, the combination of the international bank’s vast global network and Intermex’s use of Ripple’s ODL could enhance the speed, reliability, and cost-efficiency of transactions, potentially increasing XRP’s utility and adoption in high-volume remittance markets. By leveraging Intermex’s six million customers and strong agent relationships, Western Union is also set to broaden the footprint of Ripple-backed transactions across multiple geographies.
This strategic acquisition further aligns with the growing trend of financial giants tapping blockchain technology to remain competitive in the evolving global payments market. This could also give Ripple and XRP a stronger foothold in their mission toward securing a dominant role in worldwide payment systems.
Intermex‘s Deal Structure And Growth Outlook
Under the agreement, Western Union will reportedly acquire Intermex for $16 per IMXI share in cash, valuing the deal at approximately $500 million in equity and enterprise terms. This figure represents a 50% premium over Intermex’s 90-day volume-weighted average price.
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Officially, the deal has been unanimously approved by both companies’ boards and is expected to close in mid-2026, pending regulatory and shareholder approvals. Intermex’s established brand, operational efficiency, and market expertise will be integrated into Western Union’s extensive network, creating opportunities to work better together.
Furthermore, the companies anticipate $30 million in annual run-rate cost savings within two years, with additional revenue potential through expanded product offerings. The acquisition is also expected to immediately boost Western Union’s adjusted earnings per share by over $0.10 in the first full year after closing.
Featured image from iStock, chart from Tradingview.com