Though it\'s one of the most popular cryptos currently on the market, Ripple has not been invulnerable to the cryptocurrency crash. As we enter 2018, Ripple\'s value has plummeted by almost 70%, despite its recent highs this last December.

Although the crypto has been seeing its market value nosedive, businesses are still growing increasingly curious about working with Ripple technologies.

According to reports from Fortune, Western Union is currently testing its transfer technology. On the 13th of February, Hikmet Ersek, Western Union\'s CEO, reported that the company were currently testing Ripple and XRP\'s applications for capital optimisation and online transaction settlements.

Despite its lowly market value, Ripple has experienced great success in the business world: securing a number of high end partnerships with big businesses – more so than any of its crypto rivals. Ripple only recently entered into a partnership with UAE Exchange, and several businesses have become curious about Ripple\'s tech applications for their own business ventures. 

A spokesperson for Ripple said that tests with Western Union were currently ongoing, and the duo were working towards the development of a pilot of xRapid, which can be used to utilise XRP transactions.

The CTO of Western Union, Sheri Rhodes, said that the company were focused on exploring a number of avenues for blockchain use within the business.