Quiet XRP Moves on XRP Ledger Suggest BlackRock Positioning
On-chain data shows large XRP transfers on the XRP Ledger since late 2024, sparking rumors of institutional accumulation. Expert Pumpius claims that BlackRock has been quietly building XRP positions via whale wallets and custody partnerships with Citi, BNY Mellon and Standard Chartered. While blockchain records confirm hundreds of millions of XRP moving through RippleNet-linked hubs, there is no direct proof linking BlackRock to specific wallets or OTC trades.
Major custodians now support XRPL assets. In December 2024, Ripple launched its US dollar stablecoin RLUSD with BNY Mellon as reserve custodian. This regulated infrastructure bridges traditional finance and the XRP Ledger. XRPL’s native ISO 20022 compliance further positions it for global bank adoption.
Despite parallels with BlackRock’s gold and Bitcoin ETF strategies, the firm has made no public ETF filing for XRP. Traders should monitor three indicators: an official SEC filing for an iShares XRP ETF, custody disclosures tying BlackRock to substantial XRP holdings, and independent on-chain wallet attribution. Until then, BlackRock’s XRP Ledger accumulation remains an intriguing but unverified hypothesis.
Bullish
Reports of large XRP transfers on the XRP Ledger and speculation about BlackRock’s quiet accumulation suggest rising institutional demand. In 2023, similar on-chain movements preceded the launch of major Bitcoin ETFs and coincided with sustained price rallies. If BlackRock is indeed positioning ahead of an ETF filing, liquidity could tighten, driving short-term price spikes. Over the long term, a formal ETF approval or custody disclosure would legitimize XRP further and attract broader capital. While direct evidence is still pending, the pattern aligns with past bullish market reactions to institutional build-ups.